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These are busy times for the Philippine health sector, with the country gearing up for a long-awaited move to universal health care (UHC) and investment in the private sector accelerating. Specialist and high-tech facilities are being developed, generating investor interest and business opportunities in pharmaceuticals and imported medical equipment. However, challenges remain, including the expan¬sion of coverage to economically disadvantaged areas, and the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Budgets and financing are also being re-evaluated, with the aim of stamping out leakage and fraud in subsidies and reimbursements. Despite these obstacles, 2018 looks to be a year of positive growth in the private and public sectors, with the UHC rollout inching closer and a range of changes ahead for all Filipinos. This chapter contains an interview with Hector Thomas Navasero, President and CEO, Philab Industries.

The Philippines has started to make headway in edu¬cation thanks to policies that aim to expand access and improve quality. The need for human capital development has been the main impetus behind such educational reforms, as detailed in the cur¬rent administration’s Philippine Development Plan 2017-22. Despite notable gains, work remains, especially in terms of academic performance, the number of educational facilities and participation rates. To address these issues, the government has significantly increased education expenditure over the years, initiated structural changes in basic and higher education, and intensified partnerships with the private sector and industry. This chapter contains an interview with Fortunato T de la Peña, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology.

This chapter offers an overview of the Philippines’ tax regime, focusing on the territorial system for foreign companies and individuals, financial reporting framework, special economic zones and other key subjects. It also contains a viewpoint from Marivic Españo, CEO and Chairperson, P&A Grant Thornton.

This chapter examines the legal system of the Philippines, focusing on foreign investment limits governed by negative lists, tax reforms to support better collection of public revenue, data privacy, competition commission rules on recent mergers and other key areas. It also contains a viewpoint from Augusto A San Pedro Jr, Co-managing Partner, V&A Law.

This chapter introduces the reader to the different aspects of the legal system in Tanzania, in partnership with ATZ Law Chambers. It also contains a viewpoint with Shamiza Ratanasi, Managing Partner, ATZ Law Chambers.