INVESTMENT CLIMATE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NEWSCLIPS Economic Reform News from the Philippines and Elsewhere May 20, 2011 Philippines Competitiveness goal set Business World, May 16, 2011 Emerging markets soon to outstrip rich ones, Eliza J. Diaz says WB Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 18, 2011 COMPETITIVENESS planners have set an Michelle V. Remo ambitious goal of boosting the Philippines’ global ranking in the next five years, highlighting Emerging economies like the Philippines will the need for sustained government interventions play an increasingly important role in the global if the country is to rise up from its perennial economy over the medium to long term, bottom half showings. continually exceeding growth rates of industrialized nations and accounting for bigger shares of the world’s output. Train line to connect Naia 3, Fort, Makati Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 18, 2011 Paolo G. Montecillo Gov’t to ask flight schools to move out of Naia Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 18, 2011 A new commuter train line may soon connect the Paolo G. Montecillo Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) terminal 3 to the Fort Bonifacio and Makati The government has given flight schools six central business districts, according to the Bases months to submit detailed plans to move out of Conversion and Development Authority Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BCDA). (Naia) to reduce delays caused by congestion at the country’s premier gateway. Mitsubishi seeks extension of railway bid Business Mirror, May 17, 2011 LTFRB gets tough on bus firms resisting gov’t Lenie Lectura inventory Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 18, 2011 MITSUBISHI Corp., one of the 15 companies Paolo G. Montecillo participating in the P14-billion bid service contract for the operation and management of TEN PASSENGER bus companies may face two railway systems in the metropolis, is asking sanctions for refusing to subject their buses to a the government to extend the deadline for the bid government inventory aimed at determining submission until December this year. which of their units are operating in Metro Manila without a franchise. Ten thoughts on reforming tax incentives Business World, May 17, 2011 Dennis Botman After many years of intensive debates, the Philippines appears ready to move forward with reforming its incentives regime. Phl to stop importation of rice by 2013 - DA The Philippine Star, May 16, 2011 Philexport News and Features Despite doubts from some quarters, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is sticking to its target of producing enough rice to feed 95 EDITORIAL – Congested million Filipinos by 2013. The Philippine Star, May 18, 2011 Phl gains add’l sugar allocation Filipinos who have visited other countries are The Philippine Star, May 16, 2011 aware of the inadequacy of facilities at the Ninoy Marianne V. Go Aquino International Airport. The Philippines has been given an additional P-Noy urged to implement RoRo project sugar quota allocation of 60,000 metric tons by The Philippine Star, May 18, 2011 the US. Paolo Romero Alcala backs move to block imports of agri, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda has urged President livestock products Aquino to immediately implement the French The Philippine Star, May 16, 2011 government-assisted modular roll-on roll-off Marianne V. Go (RoRo) ports project in the country that he said was not only cost-effective but would greatly Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala is boost the economy. proving to be the farmers’ true ally, opting to block agricultural and livestock imports to Feed-in tariff rate for renewable energy at benefit local growers. 12.57 centavos a kWh Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 16, 2011 DOT chief backs revival of holiday economies Amy R. Remo The Philippines Star, May 16, 2011 In an effort to boost energy investments, the Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim has welcomed National Renewable Energy Board has approved the announcement of Malacanang declaring June higher feed-in-tariff (FIT) rates for renewable 20 as a special non-working holiday. energy projects, a move that will, however, burden all power consumers with an additional universal levy of 12.57 centavos a kilowatt-hour. DENR: Higher mining fees a boon Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 16, 2011 Kristine L. Alave The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it would impose more charges on the mining industry to maximize government revenues at a time when the price of minerals such as gold and silver were soaring in the world market. Tax breaks, perks for local music industry The Philippines Star, May 16, 2011 Paolo Romero The House committee on ways and means has approved a proposal to provide tax exemptions and subsidies for the local music industry to EDITORIAL – Ending Impunity make it internationally competitive. The Philippine Star, May 18, 2011 Tax information sharing law passes OECD Jovito Palparan has retired from the Armed review Forces of the Philippines, and no one has Business Mirror, May 16, 2011 replaced him, in the eyes of activists and human Diane Claire J. Jiao rights advocates, as the face of the human rights violator. Yet the Aquino administration THE PHILIPPINES has been conditionally ruled continues to be taken to task for the country’s compliant with a global tax information sharing human rights record. standard following last year’s approval of a relevant law. Mindanao fruit and vegetable growers to establish links with Visayan buyers Business World, May 16, 2011 Group helps oversee $4434-M project GEM implementation Sun Star, April 9, 2011 Mindanao fruit growers will start exporting 500 Department of Social Welfare and Development kilograms of sample cardaba (saba) bananas, (DSWD), Secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman mangosteen, rambutan and passion fruit to said everyone must work together to attain European cities this month, following the first development. trial shipment in October last year. Remmittance growth slows down Business Mirror, May 17, 2011 Jun Vallecera Global / Regional Latest data on overseas Filipino worker (OFW) remittances show further proof that such money Reliance Pledges $5-$10b Investment in flows are losing steam. Indonesia Jakarta Globe, May 18, 2011 Camelia Pasandaran Go slow on renewable energy, DOE says Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 18, 2011 Amy R. Remo India’s Reliance ADA Group wants to invest as much as $10 billion (Rp 85.5 trillion) in Indonesia, the Investment Coordinating Board Energy Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras has says. expressed exasperation over local energy developers who are urging the government to increase the limit on the renewable energy Laos swamped by foreign investment capacity that would be installed over the next Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 18, 2011 three years. Amelie Bottollier BIR to look into mining revenues The language is Chinese, change is given in yuan Business Mirror, May 16, 2011 and the time is set for Beijing -- but the Boten VG Cabuag casino is in Laos, not China. After going after gold traders whomainly deal Trade Minister Sees Creative Industry As with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Another Leg for Economy to Stand On Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will now look Jakarta Globe, May 17, 2011 into the tax compliance of mining companies in SK Zainuddin the country. Five years ago, Trade Minister Mari Elka With Mar in Noy reshapes Palace chain of Pangestu first raised the idea of developing a command third leg for the economy when she unveiled the Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 16, 2011 government’s plan to nurture a creative industry. Amando Doronila Macao sets its sights on the mass market THE ONE-YEAR BAN on the appointment of The New York Times with Reuters, May 17, 2011 losing candidates in the May 10, 2010, election Farah Master ended on Wednesday, clearing the way for the appointment of the defeated Liberal Party vice Some of the world's biggest casino operators are presidential candidate, former Sen. Manuel A. betting that Chinese moms and pops who like to Roxas II, to a Cabinet position as President gamble and also want to shop and dine will Benigno Aquino III’s chief of staff. turbocharge growth over the next few years at Macau, the world's biggest gambling destination. Condoms vs. Catholicism In The Philippines: A Divided Government More and more, an American degree might be Healthy Living, May 18, 2011 earned outside America Hrvoje Hranjski International Herald Tribune, May 9, 2011 Katie Zezima The president says he is ready to face excommunication from the Roman Catholic Themovement is nascent, but it is possible to Church for advocating free access to condoms. A earn a degree from an American university boxing champion says he is the best example of without setting foot in the United States. why birth control should never be allowed. -------------------------------------------------------------- For inquiries regarding ICIP, please contact: Investment Climate Improvement Project The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. 7th Floor, Corinthian Plaza Bldg., Paseo de Roxas, Makati City Tel.: (632) 751-1495; 818-7911 to 13 / Fax: (632) 751-1496; 811-3081 Email: [email protected] Website: www.amchamphilippines.com .