The Philippines landed at 53rd out of 101 economies in the World Bank Group’s 2025 Business-Ready (B-READY) Report, placing the country squarely at the midpoint of an expanded global ranking and signaling steady reform momentum.
The World Bank and the Philippine government are moving forward with a landmark agreement that could reshape the country’s agriculture sector. At a recent meeting, agriculture secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and World Bank country director Zafer Mustafaoglu reviewed the progress of the Philippine Sustainable Agricultural Transformation (PSAT) loan program, with the goal of finalizing the USD1 billion loan agreement in July.
The International Finance Corp. (IFC), the private investment arm of the World Bank, has appointed Riccardo Puliti as its new Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) pushing the extension of the government’s P50-per-kilo maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for 5 percent broken imported rice beyond its June 30 expiry, a move meant to keep the country’s staple food affordable amid lingering food inflation concern.
ACEN Corp., the energy arm of the Ayala Group, has signed a subscription agreement worth P1.15 billion with fully owned subsidiary Giga Ace 8 Inc. The investment covers common and preferred shares issued from Giga Ace 8’s unissued capital stock.
Energy and agriculture leaders warn of significant risks to fuel supply, prices, and food security after Iran announced it is closing the Strait of Hormuz, and threatening to fire on any vessel attempting to transit. This development follows reported attacks by the United States against Iran, according to a Reuters report.