Lecture Abstract:

The Philippines is projected to continue its stellar economic growth in 2017, driven predominantly by robust investment and consumption. Growth is expected to stand at 6.4% in 2017 and accelerated to 6.6% in 2018. The government has intensified efforts to sustain strong growth and improve macroeconomic fundamentals. While the outlook is upbeat, the business environment is increasingly volatile due mainly to external risks including modest growth in major trading partners, uncertain trade and protectionist policy, increases in global oil prices, and monetary tightening. This lecture will contemplate three key questions: What are the financial risks and opportunities in 2017 in this optimistic yet volatile environment?; How will the rapidly evolving global and regional economic conditions affect the Philippines’ growth?; and How does a stronger greenback impact the Philippine economy?

About the Speaker:

Dr Aekapol Chongvilaivan is a Country Economist for the Philippines at Asian Development Bank (ADB). He provides economic analysis and assessments of ADB’s operations in the Philippines, technical advice to the Government on its macroeconomic management and structural reforms, and helps facilitate necessary capacity development. Before his current assignment, Dr Chongvilaivan was with ADB’s Southeast Asia Department, Pacific Department, and Strategy and Policy Department. Prior to joining ADB, he was a Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. He holds a PhD in Economics from the National University of Singapore. His research has been published in several academic journals such as the Economic Inquiry, Labour Economics, British Journal of Industrial Relations, and Social Indicators Research.