“We also expect to spend more on infrastructure development to help improve regional connectivity and ease the cost of doing business in the country,” he added. In 2017 alone, the inter-agency NEDA board approved 20 project proposals, which include 14 new projects and six changes in ongoing projects, Pernia said. “Apart from Japan, we have had fruitful bilateral talks with China, Korea, Germany, Austria, and Italy, and Israel, on various development projects in line with our priorities,” he said. Being one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, the Philippines had bagged rosy economic growth forecasts this year despite political noise generated by President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial rhetoric. Manila-based Asian Development Bank raised its 2017 and 2018 economic growth forecasts for the Philippines.

Source: Philippine Star December 14, 2017 06:33 UTC