INVESTMENTS LUMOBO, P313-B SA JANUARY-JULY PERIOD

NAGTALA ang investments na ina­prubahan ng Board of Investments (BOI) ng double-digit increase sa ­unang pitong buwan ng taon kumpara sa kahalintulad na panahon noong 2018, ayon sa Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Sa datos ng DTI, ang total approved investments ay tumaas ng 24% sa P312.8 billion noong Enero hanggang Hulyo, kung saan karamihan sa mga ito o 96.25% ay matatagpuan sa labas ng Metro Manila.

Ang approved foreign investments ay pumalo sa P69.6 billion hanggang Hulyo, mas mataas ng 348% habang ang local investments ay nasa P243.2 billion, mas mataas ng 2.7 percent kumpara sa kaparehong panahon noong 2018.

Ang Singapore ay nanatiling top foreign investor na may P35.4 billion, sumusunod ang Netherlands na may P9.2 billion, Thailand (P8.6 billion), Japan (P5.8 billion) at United States (P2.4 billion).

“Investors continue to signal their strong confidence in the Philippines and the Duterte administration despite the challenges generated by the global tensions among nations. This growth was still resilient enough to withstand the global demand downturn brought about by the lingering trade dispute between the U.S. and China, the trade spat between Japan and South Korea, and other geopolitical tensions. We remain among the fastest growing economies in Asia and we are among the few countries to even register a 1.5% export growth in July. Elevated inflation is now a thing of the past as the latest inflation rate eased to just 2.4 percent, the lowest in more than two years. We have improved 19 places further in the Global Innovation Index.  With the recent signing of the Innovative Startup Act, we will encourage innovation that will make our products not only meet local demand but ensure it is at par with international standards to boost our exports,” wika ni Trade Secretary and BOI Chairman Ramon M. Lopez.

“We also have to diversify our markets by identifying new destinations for more opportunities while ensuring that our domestic base remains strong and on the upswing to soften the impact of these trade disputes. The recent trade spat between Korea and Japan should urge us to escalate and complete the negotiation of the free trade agreement with South Korea and review or enhance the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement to avail of more opportunities and exchanges with Japan. Despite the obstacles to global trade, we have to adapt as we make a push for our domestic industries to grow and move forward,” dagdag pa ni Lopez.