Foreign investors in Indonesia need sector-specific approvals based on activities, risk levels, and regulations; licenses and certifications vary.

Property brokers in China’s major cities are expecting busier days as would-be homebuyers take a cue from a recent policy shift by Beijing aimed at reviving the slumbering real estate market. Some say they are being swamped by inquiries and are trying to seal as many deals as possible amid a recovery in confidence, while others are keeping their fingers crossed for more government stimulus to sustain the growing momentum. “Government support always holds the key to the performance of the home...

MANILA, Philippines — The world is changing at an unprecedented pace, driven by technological advances such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). But as innovation reshapes the way we live and connect, it also brings new opportunities, challenges, and risks—and senior citizens should not be left behind. The Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) recognizes that today’s seniors are active

MANILA, Philippines — On Starbucks’ menu and grocery shelves abroad, ube—once a niche flavor internationally but long beloved in the Philippines—has found a comfortable place under the global spotlight in what has been dubbed its great “purple reign.” Ube coconut macchiato. Ube mochi pancakes. Ube-scented candles. And, more familiar to Filipinos, ube ice scramble. READ: A

MANILA, Philippines — For many Filipinos dreaming of making it online, the traditional route has often pointed toward Manila. But from Cagayan de Oro, a cohort of singers, dancers and natural conversationalists is testing whether a smartphone, a stable audience and several hours of livestreaming can offer another way in. READ: From trends to truth: TikTok’s

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos are hardly short on malasakit (compassion). Even when there is little to spare, the instinct to help runs deep. Such cultural trait has helped sustain a strong tradition of giving in the Philippines. But goodwill alone cannot keep the social services offered by civil society running. READ: Red tape limits NGO role

GENEVA, Switzerland — Technology has long streamlined business operations and slashed operational expenses, yet the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) poses a new set of risks for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. While AI presents opportunities for innovation and growth, Matthew Wilson, ambassador of Barbados to the World Trade

The scrapping of the value added tax on the allowable system loss charges imposed by power utilities is likely to reflect in consumers' November electricity bill, the Energy Regulatory Commission said on Sunday.

A war, an AI boom and a stubborn set of structural limits are splitting Asia's emerging economies into winners and squeezed. As the IMF and World Bank prepare to meet in Bangkok, the July forecasts rest on assumptions that have not held so far.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) welcomed the year-on-year increase in palay prices in August, saying stronger farmgate returns could provide rice farmers with a buffer against rising fuel, transport, and other input costs.

What does an affordable condominium in Cavite share with a sail-shaped beachfront tower in Batangas?  On paper, very little. One is aimed at buyers taking an early step onto the property ladder; the other promises a premium coastal lifestyle. Between those points are suburban communities in Luzon, high-rise homes in Cebu and Davao, a nature-led

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Saturday said the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) has paid P104.1 million in insurance claims to thousands of farmers and fisherfolk affected by the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and recent tropical cyclones.

A Cebu developer has secured sites in Pasig and Cavite. In Tarlac, an industrial estate is being built as a long-term base for manufacturing and logistics. Along the Batangas coast, residential development is combining resort living with environmental standards, while a company rooted in Mindanao is operating across housing, hospitality, agri-residential communities, and industry. For

Deputy Speaker Janette Garin on Saturday said banning Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, could be an option if it continues to ignore the Philippine government's call for the company to establish a local office in the country.

Precisely targeted sound waves could mark a major advance in treating pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma – an aggressive form of brain cancer – within a few years, according to a leading advocate of the technology. Researchers in Hong Kong and around the world are testing whether the approach can help treat tumours that are among the most challenging to manage. “The next big breakthrough in the near future will be more effective treatments for … glioblastoma and pancreatic cancer,” said Dr Neal...

MANILA, Philippines — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has tightened audit requirements for companies with government contracts as scrutiny of public infrastructure projects intensifies amid the flood control scandal. Under SEC Memorandum Circular No. 26, Series of 2026, the corporate regulator amended its accreditation guidelines to strengthen the quality of audit work and ensure

MANILA, Philippines — Asian economies that run wide current-account deficits and have yet to benefit significantly from the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, such as the Philippines, could be more sensitive to expectations of higher US interest rates, the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) said. In a note on Friday, Khoon Goh, head of

Another round of big-time increase in pump prices are expected to be implemented in the coming week.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) expects the blockbuster listing of GCash operator Mynt Inc. to spur market activity and bring more retail investors into local stocks as it cleared what could become the largest initial public offering (IPO) in its history. On Friday, PSE president and CEO Ramon Monzon said, “We welcome this

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines could soon begin granting copyright to works produced with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) under draft rules that would extend intellectual property (IP) protection only to portions attributable to human creativity. Proposed guidelines by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) open the door for works created in part

MANILA, Philippines — Aznar Shipping Corp. plans to keep its expansion within the Visayas even as the Cebu-based shipping company prepares to raise fresh capital from an initial public offering (IPO), betting there are still enough opportunities in its home market. On Friday, company president and CEO Kyle Alexander Aznar said they have no immediate plans

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) is seeking market feedback on proposed rules that would allow qualified listed companies to carry a Green Equity Label, as the bourse moves to strengthen transparency around environmentally aligned investments. Under the draft rules, which are open for comments until Oct. 2, the label may be granted

MANILA, Philippines — The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is looking at further slashing the retail choice threshold to 50 kilowatts (kW) in 2027 to allow more Filipino consumers to pick their own electricity supplier. ERC Chair and CEO Francis Saturnino Juan said the commission is currently assessing the traction in the competitive retail electricity market

MANILA, Philippines — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is set to lay down common rules on how artificial intelligence (AI) should be used and governed across its member states, particularly as concerns over the technology grow. According to Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty, the planned Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement (Defa) would not only tackle

The Philippines' gross international reserves (GIR) increased in August due to the rise in gold prices and the central bank's higher earnings from its overseas investments.

Yatsen Group, the Chinese beauty company behind Perfect Diary cosmetics, plans to deepen its push into skincare and new product research to sustain its growth, after a years-long overhaul of its business that has seen the firm acquire a string of overseas brands. The Guangzhou-based company will slow its acquisition spree for now and instead focus on expanding its existing portfolio of skincare offerings, while maintaining – and potentially raising – its research and development spending, which...

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will visit Japan, the U.S., and the U.K. from September 20-27 for diplomatic and investment tasks, including attending the UNGA81 and meeting tech executives. Key Points Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set to visit Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom from September 20 to 27 for diplomatic and economic […]

Some places we visit, and some we carry with us. For me, Bacolod City is one of those places. I found myself thinking about it again when I saw the MassKara masks appearing in anticipation of another October celebration. MassKara 2026 will run from October 1 to 18, filling the City of Smiles with color,

What makes Negrense art and furniture design distinctive? In Negros, design is inseparable from its history. Sugar wealth shaped homes, objects and artistic traditions. The sugar era and refinement During the sugar boom, prosperous haciendero families built grand ancestral houses in places such as Silay. These homes expressed refinement through elaborate woodwork, decorative details and

(https://www.ananda.co.th) Walk through any major Philippine city today, and the word “luxury” seems to be everywhere—luxury residences, condominiums, estates, and amenities. The word promises exclusivity, comfort, and a lifestyle beyond the ordinary. But what exactly makes a home luxurious? Is it the size of the unit? Imported marble? An infinity pool? A private elevator? A