Philippines

The Philippines’ central bank is confident the country’s financial system can withstand any strains imposed by an economic slowdown in Western markets, though it is keeping an eye on the domestic banking industry for any signs that it may be catching the chill afflicting the US and Europe.

New offshore natural gas deposits are set to vastly expand the Philippines’ hydrocarbons reserves at a time when demand at home is on the increase. The country has proven natural gas reserves of 108.7bn cu metres, ranking it 51st in the world, with annual production of around 3bn cu metres. While this is sufficient to meet current demand, with the economy expanding and demand for electricity on the rise, calls on domestic gas reserves are expected to increase in the coming years.

The Philippines business processing outsourcing (BPO) sector is fast developing into one of the pillars of the nation’s economy, with both earnings and employment levels soaring in recent years, though there are concerns that international competition, rising costs and staff shortages could undermine future growth.

The construction sector in the Philippines appears to be cooling after a fast-paced 2010, with a slowing of state spending and concerns over the health of the global economy taking some of the heat out of what remains a growth industry.

Increasing government spending and a renewed focus on international partnerships are paving the way for Indonesia’s education sector to open up to foreign universities with more public funding allocated to improving learning services.

The Philippines’ education system is in the process of being given a major overhaul, with an extension to the term of basic education and a broader curriculum. These changes are aimed at better preparing students to play a role in society and the economy, though critics of the scheme warn that benefits could be limited by a lack of resources and the rush to implement the project.