Maniolas

Consumer products conglomerate looking to set up cosmetics line MANILA, Philippines – Thailand’s largest consumer products conglomerate, Saha Pathana Inter-Holding Public Co. Ltd. (Saha Group), has expressed its intention to set up manufacturing facilities in the Philippines given the country’s growing attractiveness as an investment destination. In a recent visit to the country, Saha Group president Chantra Purnariksha said the company is eyeing investments in factories for its consumer products as it plans to expand its footprint in one of the world’s best performing economies. “We are looking (to set up factories) for the cosmetics first. And then we will diversify to other products,” Purnariksha said. At present, the Saha Group operates three industrial parks in Thailand covering about 2,500 acres of land. These are the Kabinburi, Sriracha and Lamphun industrial parks. Purnariksha said the Saha Group is initially seeking a local joint venture partner to distribute its consumer products. She said the Thai conglomerate is currently in talks with four to five local companies to be distributor of its cosmetics line in the Philippines. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “Philippines is one of the most interesting markets in terms of consumer products especially cosmetics because we notice there are a lot of cosmetic products in Philippines that are imported from overseas,”  Purnariksha said. “So first, we have sent out some of our companies to negotiate with Philippine companies. First we will try retailing then afterwards, we can set up in the near future some factories Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – In line with its commitment to deliver topnotch service, the recently unified Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI) held its first Nissan Service Technician Excellence Competency Award (NISTEC) and Nissan Service Advisor Excellence Competency Award (NISAC) National Competition at the Nissan Training and Research Center in Santa Rosa, Laguna. After being recognized by JD Power Asia Pacific’s 2014 Philippine customer service index (CSI) study by garnering top marks in customer satisfaction with aftersales service among new vehicle owners, NPI continues to develop and carry out programs that increase the service reliability and competency of its aftersales workforce. “NISTEC-NISAC is a competition done globally in all countries where Nissan operates. It has been Nissan Motor Co. Limited’s program for more than 20 years,” said Antonio Zara, president and managing director of NPI. “Part of the JD Power criteria involves the competences of the service technicians and service advisors in achieving the over-all satisfaction of the customers. With this competition, we at NPI, aim to further improve the skills and capabilities of our service technicians and service advisors. We also want to encourage them to give the best kind of service our Nissan customers deserve,” he added.  Nissan now has a total of 217 service technicians and 59 service advisors nationwide. Through a series of rigorous sets of examinations in the pre-qualifying round, 12 finalists emerged as the strong contenders for the final competition. The six service technician and six service advisor finalists were certified by Nissan Sales Technician Education Program Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine real estate industry is expected to grow further next year as the looming Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) Economic Integration continue to attract foreign investors and with the region’s increasing role in global economy. According to Noel Cariño, president of Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association, the country’s largest organization of key players in the domestic real estate industry, the Asean integration in 2015 will change the economic landscape of the whole region, particularly the real estate market. The elimination of tariffs on goods and services by a single Asean economy would drive consumer spending higher. “The demand for residential spaces adjacent to malls, retail complexes and other recreational spaces would go up and will likely increase the already healthy real estate market,” Cariño said. The influx of investment and elimination of trade barriers will allow each country in Asean to enjoy unimpeded and free flow of goods, services, labor and capital. The potential impact of the integration would require more commercial and residential infrastructure for highly urbanized cities within the region including key cities of the Philippines. “Residential, commercial and retail developers, which will be exposed to international market will expand their operations and acquire properties inside and outside the country. While foreign investors and corporate executives with local operations in the country will look for residential spaces for a place to stay,” Cariño added. CREBA however, reiterated the country must continue to pursue relevant market reforms in order to remain Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – The series of international roadshows conducted by the Aquino administration to drum up interest for major infrastructure projects has lured big Canadian and American companies to participate in biddings for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects in the country. PPP Center executive director Cosette Canilao said the Philippines has successfully showcased close to 50 PPP projects worth about $21 billion during a roadshow in North America, including Toronto and Montreal in Canada as well as New York and Washington in the US. “The roadshow attendees have expressed their interest to engage in the PPP program either as bidders, funders, operators, sub-contractors, or as consultants, among others,” Canilao said. Canilao talked with Canadian Council for PPP (CCPPP) as well as P3 Canada in Toronto to discuss best practices and country experiences in implementing PPPs and in other areas such as strengthening of the legal and regulatory frameworks and capacity building. She also met with several companies including Manulife Capital, C&I Constructive Edge, and Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) to discuss the current investment opportunities in the Philippines. More than 40 participants joined the forum. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 In Montreal, Canilao had a meeting with Canada’s largest pension fund manager Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ). According to her, Manulife, OMERS, CDPQ, and PSP Investments are keen on assessing possible areas of investment in infrastructure and PPPs most likely through partnerships with local players. Canilao also met with major companies including Blackrock,  Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – Falling oil prices in the global market are expected to temper upside risks to domestic inflation, the research arm of Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. said.  “Domestic inflation may have a downward bias if oil prices continue to decline, although most of the pressure will be in terms of local supply and seasonal demand,” Mabellene Reynaldo, research analyst at Metrobank, said in a report. Inflation slid to 4.4 percent in September from 4.9 percent in August and in July amid lower increases of food prices, housing and utility rates. The price of Dubai crude, a benchmark for oil trading in Asia, declined to an average $87.99 per barrel on Oct. 1 to 22 from an average $96.59 per barrel in September. “Expect global commodity prices to remain muted in the fourth quarter, as concerns on slow global demand and a stronger dollar weigh down on commodity prices,” Reynaldo said. As global commodity prices continue to decline, the index for energy prices in September dropped to its lowest level in two years, she noted. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “Oil prices reached two-year lows in September as the International Energy Agency reported that oil demand is slowing at a significant pace while supplies are moving steadily despite possible production disruptions from Middle East countries,” Reynaldo said. Inflation has so far averaged 4.4 percent in the nine months to September, above the midpoint of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ three to five percent target range. Read More …