Monthly Archives: July 2009

GENEVA (AFP) – The World Trade Organisation warned Wednesday of rising protectionism amid the economic crisis as it sharply cut its forecast for trade volumes of developed and developing economies this year.

The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom has deplored the recent killing of a radio commentator in the Philippines, the fourth murder of a journalist in the country this year.

MANILA, Philippines — Several lawmakers on Thursday warned the government against a total sellout of all its assets and instead proposed that it retain minority share in properties it intended to privatize.

MANILA, Philippines – Despite tight budgets caused by the current economic crisis, businesses are expected to prioritize “green” or eco-friendly technology.

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos abroad are more eager to participate in the forthcoming 2010 presidential polls than past elections.

The business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in the country remains a booming sector, but few graduates are qualified to work in it, according to the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT).

The unemployment rate across the 16 countries using the euro rose to 9.5% in May from 9.3% in April, data from the Eurostat agency has shown.

Who is going to pay for the retirement of future generations? Most European countries face the same difficulty, amid ageing populations and low birth rates.

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Halfway through 2009, the US economy is still struggling in recession amid fragile hopes for recovery by the end of the year.

New research warns of a population time bomb for developing nations as the ratio of elderly people rises faster than in the industrialised world.

As the debate intensifies about the reform of pension provision in the UK, BBC News looks at the different approaches taken by other countries to the pensions crisis to see what lessons might be learned.

Rip the top off a small sachet, the size of a hand, and inside is a delicious, creamy peanut goo that you suck from the packet.

MANILA, Philippines—A licensed recruitment agency faces possible cancellation of license after the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration initiated administrative proceedings against it for charging fees from departing domestic helpers, a violation of POEA rules on recruitment.

MANILA, Philippines – Local businessmen asked yesterday the government to create an advisory council that will help the Philippines negotiate trade deals with other countries.

MANILA, Philippines – The power situation in Mindanao is nearing critical stage as supply can barely cope up with surging demand, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).

MANILA, Philippines – Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. said the Philippines, as well as its Asian neighbors, should look more to their domestic demand and end dependence on exports.

MANILA, Philippines – Do you know that most of the 2,885,000 unemployed Filipinos today are new graduates?

MANILA, Philippines – Half a year after the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) was ratified by the Philippine Senate, the supposed “benefits” of the pact to the country has started to materialize with the door being opened to Filipino college graduates for study to be “careworkers” in Japan.

Can back wages be awarded together with separation pay in case of unjust dismissals? This is one of the issues raised in this case of Lito and Ed.

MANILA, Philippines – Nearly half of Filipino students aged 13 to 15 years old have smoked cigarette, and 13.6 percent of those who never smoked are also likely to initiate smoking the following year, according to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) conducted in 2007.

The Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC), which is composed of the biggest foreign trade groups in the country, has asked the Arroyo administration to take forceful and effective action against corruption as it said the corrupt remain “invulnerable to prosecution” under Mrs. Arroyo’s dispensation.

MANILA, Philippines – Senior citizens above 70 years not receiving any pension are set to get a P500 monthly stipend from the national government.

The government has moved its balanced budget target to 2013 in line with the recovery of the global economy, Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said.

The government will likely splurge on tax breaks to projects that would be listed under the proposed Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) of the newly signed Republic Act 9593 also known as the National Tourism Policy Act of 2009.

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines lags behind its regional neighbors in terms of good governance and anti-corruption efforts, a World Bank (WB) report said.

Two Filipino university students won the Best of the Best award and a Business Development Fund of HK$100,000 in the regional competition for the HSBC Young Entrepreneur Awards 2008-2009.

As three more light-industry factories are scheduled to close shop before the end of August 2009 thereby threatening the livelihood of 2,500 more workers, the Partido ng Manggagawa is already sounding a call for a “workers’ bailout” package that includes subsidy to and health coverage for displaced workers, refund of income tax paid by wage…

New investments in tourism-related projects will likely enjoy more incentives from the proposed Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.

TOKYO: Japan’s business executives have become more confident for the first time since 2006, the country’s central bank has said, supporting hopes the worst recession since World War II is easing.

ManilaAsia’s recession appears to have touched bottom and the region is likely to be the first to climb out of the global economic slowdown, the Asian Development Bank’s chief economist said Thursday.