PH seen growing by 4.5%
UBS cites improvement in investment inflows
THE PHILIPPINE economy may grow by 4.5 percent this year, faster than the earlier forecast of 3.3 percent, considering an improvement in the investment inflow to the country, according to UBS Securities.
However, UBS economist Edward Teather said in a research note that the improvement had not reached a point that good times ahead were ensured.
Teather said “favorable developments and clearer evidence of strengthening investment” were needed to be seen lest the apparent improvement could turn into disappointment.
“Manila has been the place to be in early 2012,” he said. “The Philippine equity market has outperformed its peers with dollar returns helped by peso gains.”
Teather said the Philippine financial markets had recovered since weakening in the second half of last year along with other markets in Southeast Asia.
“Reflecting an earlier recovery in activity data than we expected, we revise up our real GDP forecast to 4.5 percent for 2012 from 3.3 percent,” he said. “The improved growth data supports our call that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas was done easing policy rates.”
In its most recent policy meeting, the BSP kept its overnight borrowing rate at 4 percent and overnight lending rate at 6 percent, mainly due to an “assessment of a favorable inflation environment.”
“Relative to Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), the recent performance of the Philippine equity market seems linked to prospects for an upswing in investment,” Teather said.
“We can see the potential for a further leg up in investment activity as GDP growth recovers from a slower than average pace in 2011—based on easy credit conditions and available savings,” he added.
Even then, the economist said the performance of the Philippine financial market indicated the need for clearer evidence of strengthening investment.
“We are hopeful, but there is a risk of near term disappointment in performance relative to the rest of Asean if this is not forthcoming,” Teather said.
“Limiting downside risks for investors, recovering growth and easy policy settings are usually good news for asset prices—but the Philippines is not the only Asian market with those attributes,” he said. THE BOARD of Investments approved this week the registration of P62 billion worth of power projects, which can generate a total of 735 megawatts in additional power for the Luzon grid.
The BOI identified the two projects as the P12.9-bilion coal fired power project of South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp., which is a joint venture between the Ayala group and Trans-asia Oil and Energy Development Corp., and the P49.45-billion expansion project of the 600-megawatt Masinloc coal facility by Masinloc Power Partners Co. Ltd., the local arm of US power giant AES Corp.
Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. noted that these two projects would help address the country’s energy supply requirements. The BOI’S goal is to also ensure that approved investment projects contribute to long-term inclusive economic growth, he added.
Data from the Department of Energy showed that electricity demand is expected to grow at an average of 4.5 percent annually. The Luzon grid alone will require 1,050 MW of additional capacity by 2014.
According to BOI, the 135-MW coal project of South Luzon Thermal will be located in Calaca, Batangas, and will use a modern clean coal technology. The project is expected to start commercial operations by August 2014.
Potential clients for the facility’s output include electric cooperatives, industries, and wholesale electricity spot market or WESM.
In the meantime, the expansion project of Masinloc Power Partners involves the construction of two 300-MW units meant to double the plant’s capacity to 1,200 MW. The plant is part of AES Corp.'s portfolio in the country.
“The proposed Masinloc project will use environment-friendly technologies and a wastewater treatment plant meet the country’s environmental standards. The Masinloc project will start on June 2017,” the BOI said.