Friday, September 19, 2014

...the PH ranking in 2016

PHL seen in world's top 30% in competitiveness by 2016 – DTI's Domingo


September 19, 2013
GMA News
 
The Philippines is on track to being ranked within the top 30 percent economies in various competitiveness surveys by 2016, a Cabinet official said Thursday.

“We will be in the top 30 percent in most if not all competitiveness surveys... by 2016,” Department of Trade and Industry Secretary and National Competitiveness Council (NCC) public sector chair Gregory Domingo told a press briefing.

For example, Domingo said the Philippines competitiveness ranking in the World Bank's Doing Business report is seen increasing to the 62nd spot “or better” in 2016.

Based on the World Bank's Doing Business report, the Philippines ranks 138th out of 185 countrie

The World Economic Forum, on the other hand, recently moved the Philippines six places up to 59th in its Global Competitiveness Report of 148 countries.

Domingo said that government reforms creating a conducive environment “will be in place” by 2015.

“Once we achieve these reforms, doing business in the Philippines will be easier and that should improve our rankings,” he said.

At the same briefing, NCC private sector co-chair Guillermo Luz said the country is likely to improve its ranking by 20 to 25 places in the next Doing Business report next month.

“We have not been doing well in this report so we spent a lot of time reviewing this report,” he said, adding that the NCC's report sent to the World Bank shows improvement in eight out of the ten indicators being tracked.

Reforms cited include cutting down steps and days in starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes and trading across borders.

Officials maintained that reforms are being undertaken not to improve the country's competitiveness ranking, but to attract more businesses and investments to the country.

“We are putting in reforms for entrepreneurs. If our ranking does not improve but more want to invest here, then we are competitive,” Luz said.

The government wants to seize the Philippines' favorable economic conditions – robust growth as well as healthy payments and fiscal position – by providing a more conducive environment for businesses and investments.

“Our relative competitiveness in Asia and ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] is the best it has ever been and will continue to improve,” Domingo said. – SOA/BM, GMA News
 
 

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

...the Gilas FIBA rank

Philippines climbs to world No. 31 in latest Fiba Rankings


By Mark Giongco |INQUIRER.net



Philippines' Japeth Aguilar, left, and teammate Jim Alapag, right, celebrates after winning the match at the end of the match  against Senegal during the Group B Basketball World Cup match between the Philippines and Senegal in Seville, Spain, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014. The 2014 Basketball World Cup competition will take place in various cities in Spain from Aug. 30 through to Sept. 14. AP
Philippines’ Japeth Aguilar, left, and teammate Jim Alapag, right, celebrates after winning the match at the end of the match against Senegal during the Group B Basketball World Cup match between the Philippines and Senegal in Seville, Spain, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014. AP FILE PHOTO



MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas’ gutsy showing in the 2014 Fiba World Cup had the country climbing three spots to No. 31 in the latest Fiba Rankings.

The Philippines went just 1-4, with its only win coming at the expense of Senegal and, failed to advance into the second round of the tournament but gave its opponents a run for their money.

Playing in its first appearance in the world stage in 36 years, Gilas was deemed as a pushover in Group B with powerhouses Croatia, Greece and Argentina as overwhelming favorites and Puerto Rico and Senegal also favored over the Filipinos.

But the perception quickly changed when Gilas dragged Croatia into overtime in its first game before losing by just three points. The Philippines then gave Greece a hard time too and did so too to world No. 3 Argentina. And if not for JJ Barea’s late-game heroics for Puerto Rico, Gilas could’ve been 4-1 with the 12-point loss at the hands of the Greeks the only convincing defeat.

The early exit though, won’t undermine the Philippines’ steady improvement over the past several years as the country aims to put itself back as one of the teams to reckon with not only in Asia but in the world. And the improvement from 34th to 31st in the world is a testament to it.

Meanwhile, Team USA, bannered by NBA stars, remained at the helm after its gold-medal romp. Spain, despite a disappointing fifth place finish, stayed in second. Argentina (3rd) and Lithuania (4th) also maintained their positions.

France, which knocked off host Spain in the quarterfinals and went on to bag the bronze medal, improved three places to enter the top five.

Greece slipped five spots to No. 10, Croatia upped its ranking to 12th, Puerto Rico also improved to 15th while Senegal, the biggest movers, leaped 11 places to 30th after advancing to the Round of 16.

The Philippines is the fourth highest-ranked squad in Asia, trailing China (14), Iran (17), and Korea (27).