Economy
UK–Philippines trade ties deepen via JETCO
UK–Philippines trade prospects remain upbeat as the Joint Economic and Trade Committee enters its second year as a formal government forum, signaling deeper economic alignment between the two countries, a British official said.
Business groups push transparency to revive growth
Business groups are calling for tougher governance, faster digital reforms, and sustained infrastructure spending as the Philippines looks to reboot growth in 2026 after the economy slowed to 3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Philippine GDP growth slows, services carry economy
The Philippine economy ended 2025 on a softer note, with gross domestic product growing 3.0 percent year on year in the fourth quarter, bringing full-year growth to 4.4 percent, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. The figures point to an economy that is still expanding—but unevenly, with clear winners and laggards.
Philippines courts trade pacts amid headwinds
The Philippines is accelerating its trade diplomacy to counter a widening goods deficit and tougher global conditions, officials said at the Industry-Trade Policy Dialogue on January 26. The push centers on expanding market access, shoring up exports, and diversifying partners as protectionism rises.
Red tape, talent shortage—not rival—test Philippines’ IT-BPM
The Philippine information technology–business process management (IT-BPM) industry is not losing sleep over global rivals. Its bigger headaches are closer to home: the ease of doing business and a persistent shortage of employable talent.
