Joseph Araneta Gamboa

BACOLOD CITY—Financial services giant Morgan Stanley predicts that there will be increased mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the next two years globally. In its “2023 M&A Outlook” published last month, the Manhattan-based multinational investment management firm attributes the acceleration of deal-making to three factors: the growth in the private equity industry; the sophistication of corporate clients; and, the overall strength of corporate earnings.

BANGKOK—Changing demographics and an evolving real estate market are creating demand for high-quality, integrated and walkable communities in major urban areas worldwide. The rise of mixed-used developments is most evident in this capital city of Thailand, where its benefits extend far beyond enhancing the social good.

FOR the third consecutive year, the search for the “CFO of the Year” will focus on game-changing Chief Finance Officers in the Philippines.

FACE-to-face events are back after two years of virtual conventions and online meetings. As a sign of post-pandemic normalcy, the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex) held its 54th annual conference at the Fairmont Hotel Makati last October 5 with a wide array of speakers that included global and regional leaders in business and finance.

TWENTY policy experts and academicians discussed the current Philippine situation and provide their prognoses in a book titled “Beyond the Crisis: A Strategic Agenda for the Next Administration,” which was launched last week by the Stratbase ADR Institute (ADRi).

LEADERS of the country’s top business organizations have pushed for congressional amendments to the 85-year-old Public Service Act (PSA). Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have already passed on third reading their respective bills seeking to amend the PSA, otherwise known as Commonwealth Act 146.

BASED on the latest poll of Social Weather Station (SWS), an overwhelming 93 percent of Filipinos expressed optimism about 2022. Conducted last December 12 to December 16, the SWS survey result was released just before the New Year.

TODAY, the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines and ING Bank N.V.’s Manila Branch will jointly present the 15th ING Finex CFO (Chief Financial Officer) of the Year Award at the New World Hotel in Makati City.