Economy

Kickstart Ventures has expanded its support for Southeast Asian procurement platform Eezee, as the startup raised $5 million in a pre-Series B funding round to grow its regional footprint and strengthen its artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

As the Philippines prepares to chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2026, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is calling for deeper regional economic integration to restore the bloc’s role as a global growth engine.

Doha-based investment powerhouse JTA International Investment Holding is lining up as much as USD3 billion in fresh capital for the Philippines, signaling one of the largest prospective foreign investment pushes into the country this year.

The Philippines is weighing whether to push for a coordinated regional response to Washington’s newly announced 15 percent global tariff, as trade talks continue and no formal position has been adopted.

The Makati Business Club has thrown its support behind a bold internal crackdown at the Bureau of Internal Revenue, welcoming the filing of cases against 25 revenue personnel accused of misusing Letters of Authority.