Philippine Economy - Trade and Investment

Philippine Economy
Source: neda.gov.ph

Investment and trade, among others, are essential to job creation. Modest investment spending is a key reason why unemployment has remained high at 11.4 percent.

Investment in the Philippines as a portion of gross domestic product (GDP) was 19.5 percent in 2003 and expected at 20.1 percent in 2004. Foreign investments have been slow in coming to the country. For example, the increase in foreign direct investment inflows from US$1.43 billion in 2002 to US$1.49 billion in 2003 was insignificant and did not reduce unemployment. This situation is a result of several factors, including the pull of investments towards China, weakening investor confidence due to concerns about fiscal sustainability, and structural problems such as peace and order and a weak infrastructure and logistics system. The latter, for example, has hampered the distribution of products.

Based on the World Competitiveness Report, the Philippines’ ranking slid from 48 in 2001 to 56 in 2002 among the countries included in the Global Competitiveness Ranking (GCR). The high cost of doing business has hampered the competitiveness of the Philippines. Power costs are higher compared to China, Taipei, Korea, and Indonesia due to high distribution charges. (Philippine power rates, however, are lower than Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and India). At the same time, telephone and mobile phone charges were the highest among ASEAN member countries.

Also, the limited government funding for infrastructure is adversely affecting the country’s competitiveness. The Philippine infrastructure and capital outlay performance vis-à-vis other Asian countries is the lowest for the period 1998-2002, averaging a mere 3.3 percent of GDP. The poor quality of infrastructure is perennially cited as the main problem in the Philippines’ global competitiveness.

Philippine exports also face stiff global competition as countries continually strive to improve their productivity and competitiveness. Exports (in dollar terms) grew by 2.4 percent in 2003 and 8.5 percent as of August 2004 while imports grew at 6.1 percent in 2003 and 6.9 percent as of July 2004.

While Philippine merchandise exports (in dollars) grew at an average of 19.2 percent in 1992-1997, export growth decelerated to 14.8 percent in 1998-2000 and further to –1.1 percent in 2001-2003. Philippine merchandise exports were affected by the meltdown in the IT sector in 2000. Exports have grown modestly in 2003 as global demand firmed up. The ADB’s forecast of 8.5 percent growth of Philippine merchandise exports in 2004 is at par with Malaysia and five percentage points higher than Indonesia’s, while Thailand and Singapore will post higher growth rates.

Site Links
Real estate for sale by builders; house & lot for sale
Computer-aided architectural design; custom home construction costs...
Resume of home builders in the Philippines; architects & contractors
Home builders in the Philippines join us
Philippine real estate latest news
Hiring a contractor; house construction tips; hiring an architect...
Company profile of contractors in the Philippines; construction firms
Reasons for moving to the Philippines
How to buy real estate in the Philippines; condotel; second home...
Send money to the Philippines; loan to finance house construction...

To learn more about a particular property for sale / rent, click on the corresponding link below. The properties are sorted by location.

Bulacan

Malolos City

Cavite

Tagaytay City

Cebu

Cebu City

Metro Manila

Ayala Alabang Village

Zambales

Best of Filbuild

Florida Villas in Malolos City, Bulacan
Subdivision features include: landscaped main gate & access road, clubhouse, parks and playground, 24-hour security, centralized water system, underground drainage system, garbage disposal system, perimeter fence, Centro Escolar University 5 minutes away, Bulacan State University 7 minutes away, Bulacan Provincial Capitol 10 minutes away.

Brentville International
Easily accessible, it is just 15 minutes away from Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang and Tagaytay. It is also near to major commercial establishments like SM Sta. Rosa, Robinson's Sta. Rosa, Pavillion Mall. Conveniently accessible to leisure destinations of Metro Manila and down south.

Celadon Manila
Developed by Ayala Land's subsidiary Community Innovations, Celadon Residences (townhomes) and Celadon Park (condominiums) offer a refreshing take on residential living in uptown Manila.

Eton Parkview Greenbelt
EPPI teamed up with sister companies Allied Bank and Philippine National Bank to introduce Home 838, the most affordable bank financing plan in the industry, making Eton Parkview Greenbelt priced lower than most of their counterparts.

Serendra Condos in Taguig City
Just a few minutes away from Makati (3kms), Ortigas (5kms) and Manila (5kms), Serendra at the Fort Bonifacio Global City by Ayala Land is the ideal residential address for those looking to be near to their place of work, business, education and home.

Subic Ampelos Tower
The FIRST high-rise mixed use residential condo hotel in Subic Bay. Units are luxuriously designed and fully furnished. Unit owners protected by advanced security system. Owners will also enjoy hotel-type rent management. Built by one of Korea's top developers.

The Lexus Hotel/Condos
Condotel units for sale/lease in Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines. Location is right in the center of the vibrant nightlife of Angeles City. Within walking distance is the SM Shopping Mall with theaters, stores, supermarkets and dozens of restaurants.

Alta Vista in Subic, Zambales
A near-beach, luxury village subdivision for middle income buyers. Ideal for retirement and vacation homes. Set on a flood-free, gently rolling terrain landscape.

Single family home for sale
Location: Las Piñas City, Metro Manila, Philippines. 3-bedroom, 2-car garage, kitchen area with breakfast nook, modular kitchen cabinets, maid's room, service / laundry area, storage area, mini-pond in the front yard, master's bedroom with toilet & bath, deep well water supply and pressurized tank.

Club Morocco in Subic, Zambales
A beachfront, gated, exclusive village subdivision with country-club class amenities set on a mountain hill landscape.

Log style home for sale
Location: Tagaytay City, Cavite. Master's bedroom with toilet and bath, 2 bedrooms with common toilet and bath, deep well water supply and pressurized tank, fully furnished.

The Executive Suites Subic
Condominium units for sale/lease in Subic Bay, Zambales, Philippines. Located at the corner of Dewey Avenue and Manila Avenue, the one-hectare property project is at the center of all major attractions in Subic Bay. It's a short walk to Subic water front and the adjacent Olongapo City.

Top level categories

Subdivision house & lot packages; homes for sale in master-planned communities by land developers...

Building professionals / design & build contractors / construction companies...

Condominium / condotel / apartment units for sale / rent...

Real estate for sale / rent; property listings. Vacant lots; brand new / pre-owned homes for sale by owner...

Building construction material suppliers, house furnishing makers, home improvement, renovation & remodeling, repair & maintenance products...