Economy

The Philippines is pressing for a calibrated overhaul of global trade rules as the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference opened on March 26 in Yaoundé, with Manila advocating reforms that preserve the core principles of the multilateral trading system.

Filipino dessert brand Avocadoria has stepped up its international push, opening its first outlet in Thailand and marking its third overseas market after Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. The expansion signals growing traction for homegrown food concepts abroad.

Romanian companies are increasingly eyeing the Philippines as a strategic investment and sourcing destination, following the inaugural Philippine Economic and Business Briefing held in Bucharest on March 17, 2026, according to the Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC).

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has secured a voluntary commitment from manufacturers and retailers to keep prices of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) unchanged until April 16, offering temporary relief to Filipino households amid global uncertainties.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said just this week that higher global oil prices are not unexpected and are already factored into its policy planning. This develops as it assesses the impact on inflation, economic growth, and the future path of monetary easing.