PHILIPPINES the Ideal Location to Invest in 2018
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PROMOTION PHILIPPINES THE IDEAL LOCATION TO INVEST IN 2018 One of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, there are an increasing number of attractive opportunities opening up in what could currently be the best country in Asia to invest in. “The Philippines is 13th-biggest popu- Having a highly skilled, Eng- Increasingly, the private-sec- a sure bet for inves- lation is “relatively lish-speaking population has tor is investing in new activities, tors,” says Edwin R. young and increas- other positive impacts. Many such as manufacturing in export Bautista, president ingly middle class. move abroad and send earnings processing zones. As in all sec- and CEO of Union- We have the right back home, for example, there tors, investors are encouraged Bank, a major local demographic pro- are over 3.5 million Filipinos in by a stable macro environment, bank. Having expe- file to support the U.S. and in the first half of prudent debt management and rienced remarkable future economic 2017, remittances from overseas attractive tax incentives. growth for over a growth,” says Cesar citizens were $5.4 billion. decade, the tropical G. Romero, presi- As well as importing dollars, Edwin R. Bautista Rising Foreign Investment archipelago in the President and CEO, dent and CEO of these expats introduce those at When the competitive costs of South China Sea, UnionBank Pilipinas Shell Petro- home to the latest technologies running a business in the Philip- containing nearly leum Corporation from their adopted countries, pines are also considered, it is no 7,500 islands and (PSPC), a subsidiary giving a further boost to knowl- surprise that much of the invest- over 100 million people, saw a of Royal Dutch Shell. edge in the consumer-led, high- ment is international. In 2017, 6.7% year-on-year growth in “Within 30-50 years, over 50% spending Philippines. total foreign direct investment gross domestic product (GDP) of the population will be at a in 2017. productive age,” adds Jaime E. That makes the Philippines Ysmael, president and CEO of one of the top three perform- another important developer, ers in Asia, says the World Bank, Ortigas & Company; “That which predicts that its economy provides opportunity for creat- will continue to expand at about ing jobs, building the middle 6.7% a year until at least 2020. class and keeping the engine The country’s National Eco- revved.” “We have the right demographic profile to support future economic growth.” CESAR G. ROMERO, PRESIDENT AND CEO, PILIPINAS SHELL PETROLEUM CORPORATION nomic Development Authority This large and well-edu- expects even more, says Fed- cated talent base explains erico A. Laxa, chairman and why, despite not having a huge CEO of leading property devel- manufacturing sector, the Phil- oper First Shelter Ventures and ippines is an important force in Realty Corporation: “They are services. For example, it is the looking at 7% for the next few global capital for business pro- years, possibly until 2022.” cess outsourcing (BPO), with about 1,000 companies in the Home to a Huge Talent Base country generating $13 billion in A range of factors is driving this 2017 by handling 16-20% of the achievement, not least the Fili- world’s BPO business, according pinos themselves. Expanding to Texan consultants The Ever- at around 2% a year, the world’s est Group. 1 F PG Phil v14.indd 2 18/09/18 15:32 PROMOTION inflows reached over $10 bil- inclusivity. RCBC is one, Dee A Constant Pursuit of Excellence lion, 21.4% up on 2016. And, states: “Investment in technol- after being named 2018’s best ogy is indispensable for our For Helen Yuchengco Dee, chairperson of country in the world to invest in continued growth.” The largest the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC), by a report from U.S. News, the investor in this area is Union- the secret to success in leading a multi-bil- lion-peso conglomerate is continuing and BAV Group and the University of Bank, one of the country’s big- building upon an already solid foundation Pennsylvania, inflows for August gest banks. that was laid down by her father before her. were $1.6 billion — 142.9% more This year, it became the first in “His lessons of discipline, excellence and than for the same month in 2017. the world to pilot cross-border integrity have constantly served as a guide After sharing a close rela- business-to-business payments for the entire conglomerate,” she explains. It has long been at the forefront of innova- tionship for over 100 years, U.S. using blockchain technology in tion in various sectors, such as finance, edu- companies are at the forefront partnership with Visa, enabling cation, construction and insurance. Mapúa Helen Yuchengco Dee of this investment and bullish funds to be transferred within University and its subsidiaries are some of Chairperson, about the Philippines. Helen Y. 24 hours. It has since adopted the Philippines’ best institutions. Offering Yuchengco Group Dee, chairperson of Rizal Com- the same technology to link courses in IT, engineering and technology, of Companies they have a high standing with local and mercial Banking Corporation rural branches and for internal international accreditation bodies. In infrastructure and construction, (RCBC), one of the country’s processes as part of the bank’s EEI Corporation is a leading global construction service provider that largest universal banks notes: ongoing digital transformation continually pursues partnerships and projects that better the country. “The U.S. is among our top to create inclusive prosperity by Malayan Insurance is one of the top Philippine non-life insurance com- panies, providing a world-class service that is affirmed by its stability rat- trading partners and investors. “penetrating market segments ing from A.M. Best and its rankings from the Philippine’s Insurance Com- Always strong, the partnership not serviced by our peers. If we mission, where it takes the lead in both gross and net premiums written. between us is at an all-time high, succeed, we expect to have 50 Lastly, RCBC, the flagship company of the YGC, continues to expand its ventures through pursuing new innovations for its products and services that constantly modernize the country’s current banking landscape. “The “The U.S. is among our top trading YGC’s pursuit of excellence is one that constantly places nation building and the betterment of our countrymen at the forefront,” Dee concludes. partners and investors. Always strong, the partnership between us is at an www.ygc.com all-time high.” HELEN Y. DEE, CHAIRPERSON, RIZAL COMMERCIAL BANKING CORPORATION Philequity Sets the Benchmark following President Trump’s visit million individual and 1 mil- Founded in 1994 by three veteran stockbro- in 2017.” lion entrepreneur customers,” kers — Ignacio Gimenez, Roberto Lorayes and Wilson Sy — Philequity Management, International firms are invest- explains Bautista of UnionBank. Inc. (PEMI) boasts an outstanding track ing in various sectors, including So far, UnionBank has record for returns on investment and towers BPO, manufacturing, real estate, invested about $56 million on above its peers as the preeminent invest- energy and transport infrastruc- new technology, will spend ment manager and principal distributor of leading mutual funds in the Philippines. ture, trade and technology. the same again in 2018 and is, With a commitment to helping inves- Looking forward, Roberto “Engaging fintech partners to tors achieve long-term financial goals via an Z. Lorayes, chairman of Phile- embrace future technologies, array of mutual funds suited to their specific quity Management Inc. (PEMI), like robotics, agile thinking and needs, PEMI has been recognized many Roberto Z. Lorayes an experienced and top-per- artificial intelligence,” he adds. times by the Philippine Investment Funds Chairman, Philequity forming equity fund manager, The bank is utilizing these, Association for its excellent returns. Management, Inc. Giving investors access to a diversified advises, “We are a country with and training their staff in their portfolio managed by some of the best fund managers in the country, the thousands of islands, so there use, to deliver best-in-class ser- flagship Philequity Fund, Inc. (PEFI) has garnered multiple awards from is a lot of profit to be made vices and a seamless, omnichan- local and foreign agencies for its consistent track record of eye-catching returns. Taking into consideration PEFI’s talent for managing risk, the in industries like logistics and nel user experience to custom- fund has also earned several accolades for its risk-adjusted performance tourism. Conservative investors ers. It is also exploiting them to in relation to its peers, underlining it as the ideal choice for people who will typically stick to bread-and- innovatively access new mar- wish to invest in the stock market, but lack the time and expertise. butter industries such as banks.” kets. For example, to establish “In the fund management business, it is not the size of the capital of “branch-lites”, a type of outlet the manager but rather the experience, analytical ability, sourcing of data and executions that count,” states PEMI Chairman Roberto Z. Lorayes. Banks Turn to Technology recently approved by the Phil- In that context, Wilson Sy has developed a highly efficient management Financial services are indeed ippines’ central bank that per- team blending youth with experience. An added strength is PEMI’s board a major pull for investors and forms limited banking activities that consists of respected names from industry and government. some Philippine banks them- in under-banked areas. Philequity Management, Inc. selves are investing to mod- UnionBank’s transforma- www.philequity.net ernize for a digitally active tion is bringing success. “Our society with only 28% financial customer loan book has grown 2 F PG Phil v14.indd 3 18/09/18 15:32 PROMOTION above the indus- but they will only go try average for the a small way to meet Fueling an Economic Boom last three years and the country’s urgent core net income is requirement for 43 By fueling one in three Filipino vehicles, up 30%, for exam- GW of extra energy refi ning and marketing company Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation (PSPC) is a ple.