Economy

This chapter contains hotel listings, phone numbers for state government ministries, foreign missions, consultancy and accountancy services, and other important contacts, as well as useful facts for visitors.

It also contains a features piece on efforts to preserve the local batik-making tradition, a woven art that traces back centuries, which is currently integrating skilled...

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While oil and gas production, timber harvesting, and agriculture continue to dominate Sarawak’s economic DNA, significant improvements in transportation and utility infrastructure are now giving rise to an era of economic diversification led by new heavy industries. The state’s relatively small population, large geographical area and diversified economy are providing job opportunities for the...

This chapter contains useful information for those considering travel to the Philippines, including hotel listings, phone numbers for government offices, business organisations and other important contacts, as well as tips for etiquette, transport and health. It also contains a features peace examining ecotourism opportunities across the archipelago.

Having grown at a compound annual growth rate of around 10% over the past decade, the BPO sector has become the country’s largest source of private employment and the second-largest contributor of foreign exchange earnings after remittances. By 2020 the global BPO industry is forecast to be worth $250bn and the Philippines is seeking to cement its position as a preferred global service...

Although foreign direct investment (FDI) volumes are smaller than what countries in its peer group attract, the Philippines has been catching up at an impressive pace. FDI rose from $1.1bn in 2010 to $4.9bn in the first nine months of 2014 as economic growth has accelerated and business policies have improved. With seven investment promotion agencies offering a variety of tax exemptions and...