Will private equity bring more prosperity and equanimity?

THE PHILIPPINES is poised to still be among the top performing economies in Asia this year, although some analysts predict a growth rate slower than the 7.2% growth target in 2014. Yet it would seem that we are proceeding well: the stock market is slowly but steadily recovering, new initial public offerings (IPOs) are entering the market, and investor confidence remains high. It is still an auspicious time to look at the rise of private equity (PE) in the region, and how it may more deeply impact business and investment for the rest of 2014.