ADB cites weaknesses of microfinance sector
October 17th, 2012, Business World, Banking & Finance, Business & Commercial Development, Economics, Financial Services, International Relations
THE PHILIPPINES is one of the leading countries in microfinance policy and regulation in Asia but it still lags in terms of scale and reach to the poor, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said.
“Of the 21 countries with ADB support during 2000-2010, ADB’s efforts were effective in Cambodia, Pakistan, Philippines and Tajikistan, where notable improvements in the policy, legal, regulatory and supervisory frameworks were achieved,” ADB said in a report released yesterday….
“In contrast, Cambodia, Pakistan and the Philippines experienced rapid growth in assets, loan portfolio and borrowers, mainly due to more conducive policy and regulatory environments that promote the development of the sector,” it said.
DIANE CLAIRE J. JIAO
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=TopStory&title=ADB-cites-weaknesses-of-microfinance-sector&id=60230
Competitiveness Improves
September 8th, 2011, Business World, Agriculture & Agri-business, Economics
The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Competitiveness Index 2011-2012 ranked the Philippines 75th out of 142 economies, up from 85th out of 139 in the 2010-2011 report. Last year’s placing marked a reversal of 2009’s slide to 87th in a list of 133, from 71st out of 134 the year before.
On a worst to best scale of one to seven, the country’s score improved to 4.1, from 4.0 and 3.9 in the prior years. The Philippines, however, still placed below most of its ASEAN peers: of the eight in the list, only Cambodia in 97th was ranked lower. Read more
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=TopStory&title=Competitiveness-improves&id=37920
Gov’t to Watch Shipments From Bird Flu-Hit Countries
September 4th, 2011, Business World, Business & Commercial Development
Manila–Incoming bird and poultry shipments from countries affected by the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) will be seized and destroyed given concerns of a resurgence, the government said. The Agriculture department last Friday announce heightened surveillance at all ports of entry as well as the confiscation plan in a bid to keep the country free of the avian disease, which in some cases has been transmitted and proved deadly to humans. Read more
(L. D. Desiderio)
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=TopStory&title=Gov%E2%80%99t-to-watch-shipments-from-bird-flu-hit-countries&id=37721
Rice Grower to Set Up Farms in Cambodia and Myanmar
August 31st, 2011, Business World, Business & Commercial Development
Hybrid rice producer SL Agritech Corp. plans to set up a plantation in Cambodia via a joint venture instead of shipping out produce from its Philippine farms, a ranking official said last week.
“We are looking at starting the shipment of seeds to Cambodia and to start planting there in the fourth quarter,” SL Agritech President Henry Lim Bon Liong said in a telephone interview.
Under the joint venture, he said seeds will be given by SL Agritech to be used for the plantation, while its partner firm will provide the labor and land in Cambodia.
He said that for every produce sold there, SL Agritech will be paid with royalties.
The firm is focusing on international development this year with not much push from the Philippine government for hybrid rice, he said.
Apart from Cambodia, the firm is also reportedly looking at Myanmar as part of its international development program.
(Louella D. Desiderio)
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Corporate&title=Rice-grower-to-set-up-farms-in-Cambodia-and-Myanmar&id=37530