EUROPE-PH News

A national multi-sectoral group wants to study the strong partnership of the business sector and local government units (LGUs) in the city and province of Iloilo. Gerry Constantino, assistant vice president for operations of European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), said Integrity Initiative is looking for good examples of strong partnership between LGUs and the private sector.

The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) and Robert Bosch Inc. recently spearheaded an interactive training session on fuel efficiency and proper fleet management in Makati. Representatives from Bosch's automotive aftermarket division, Clean Air Asia, Honda Cars Philippines, and Philippine Auto Club shared insights with transport fleet managers, automotive workshop owners and drivers.

The policy advice from experts will be for markets to strive for "all-of-the-above energy strategy" - if they want to thrive and reliably supply the needs of consumers. The parochial debate pitting coal versus renewable energy could then be a useless tussle, because realistically, both technologies must co- exist in a prudently-planned electricity system.

Rules keep on changing - and worse, many underpinning policies (i.e. the Renewable Portfolio Standards) are still lacking. No wonder then that many investors feel like they are spinning in a whirlpool when it comes to tracking and understanding the patchwork of fickle policies being laid down for the country’s nascent renewable energy (RE) sector.

The Benefits of the first ever investment-grade upgrade are grossly exaggerated. The behavior of the stock market last Monday, rising tentatively, retreated, and finally fell, supported this view. The stock markets’ hyperactive reaction to the upgrade before the Holy Week break was totally irrational.

Danao City, Cebu - The French Government is expecting to create a better trade relationship with the Philippines as it recognizes the latter as a prospective business hub in Asia.

The Philippines secured its first investment grade credit rating on Wednesday, courtesy of debt watcher Fitch Ratings, along with a stable outlook that is expected to lead to more foreign investments, increased access to credit and reduced borrowing costs.

Is the Philippine economy moving forward or backward? The answer is both. The economy is moving forward - and also backward - according to Arangkada 2013, the second assessment report on the Joint Foreign Chambers’ self-proclaimed jump- up strategy on how to move the Philippines forward.

France sees the Philippines as a prospective investment hub in Asia, rich with economic potential, an official said. French Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (FCCP) president Cyril Rocke said the FCCP is out to promote its members’ interests in the country and “create closer relationships” with the Philippine business community.

Manila, Philippines - Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon yesterday emphasized the need to carry out a major overhaul of the country’s national customs system including the possible abolishment of the agency and rebuilding it from scratch.

The Philippines' growing momentum in economic growth is due to a large degree to the Aquino administration, whose policies have given local and foreign businessmen fresh impetus to invest in the country, according to the head of one of the world’s biggest and most influential financial news organization.

The European Chamber of Commerce of Philippines (ECCP) said the country’s participation in Fruit Logistica Germany has opened new trading opportunities for farm products in the country. The four companies were Flora Integrated Farms Inc. selling pineapples; Refmad-V Enterprise, dragon fruit; Agrinurture Inc., pineapples, bananas and mangoes; and Raspina Tropical Fruits Inc., bananas, mangoes, pineapples and papaya.