Tag: Regulatory Reform
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Why Alcohol Was Left Out of the Interprovincial Trade Pact and the Booze Industry’s Frustration
Background: An Agreement Without Alcohol When governments across the country announced a new interprovincial trade agreement this week aimed at lowering barriers and harmonizing rules, alcohol was conspicuously absent. The omission surprised many in the booze industry, which has long argued that unified standards would simplify distribution, reduce costs, and boost competitiveness. Instead, the pact…
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End-of-Year Showdown: Labor, Ley, and the Greens Push for Environmental Law Reform
Year-end politics meet environmental reform The final sitting week of the federal parliament before the summer recess is rarely a tranquil period for democracy. Yet it is precisely during these high-stakes sessions that significant environmental policy can be shaped—or sidelined. This year, the spotlight is on a push for sweeping environmental law reform, with the…
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Philippines to Repay ADB Insurance Reform Loan Through 2040
Overview The Philippines will repay its latest loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) over a 20-year period, extending through 2040. The funding supports broad insurance sector reforms intended to expand coverage, improve regulation, and strengthen financial resilience for Filipino families. The agreement was signed on Nov. 6 by authorities from the country’s financial leadership,…
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Trade Policy Review: Nepal — Navigating Opportunities in a Changing Global Market
Overview of Nepal’s Trade Policy Review Nepal is undergoing a comprehensive assessment of its trade policies as part of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Policy Review cycle. This process gathers inputs from the government, the WTO Secretariat, and stakeholders to evaluate how Nepal’s trade regime supports development, regional integration, and poverty reduction. The review…
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Textile Supply Chain Relief: Govt Drops 14 QCOs on Intermediate Goods as Industry Hopes for More Rollbacks
Overview: A Targeted Easing of Intermediaries The government has announced the rollback of 14 quantitative control orders (QCOs) on intermediate goods used in the textile value chain. This move follows an internal assessment that the existing mandate—enforcing standards on intermediaries and raw materials rather than only on finished goods—was creating unnecessary operational complexities for manufacturers.…
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Textile Sector Breathes as Govt Rolls Back 14 QCOs on Intermediate Goods
Background: What the Rollback Means for the Textile Value Chain The government has revoked 14 quality control orders (QCOs) targeting intermediate goods used in the textile value chain. This move comes amid industry concerns that mandating standards on intermediaries and raw materials—rather than finished goods—created unnecessary operational complexities and frictions for manufacturers, exporters, and suppliers.…
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What Marcos Can Do to Accelerate Growth in 2025: Policy Measures for a Slower Economy
Rising to the Challenge: Why Growth Slowed in 2024 The latest third-quarter GDP figure of 4% underscored a fragility in the Philippine economy, with external headwinds, supply disruptions, and domestic bottlenecks dampening momentum. To restore confidence and lift growth above the 5% target, the Marcos administration must adopt a coordinated set of policy actions that…
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What Marcos Administration Can Do to Arrest Slower Economic Growth in 2025
Executive summary: Setting the course for faster growth in 2025 After another quarterly print that underscored slower momentum, the Marcos administration faces a pivotal decision: accelerate growth by targeted reforms or weather headwinds with short-term fixes. The path forward combines pragmatic policy adjustments, predictable rules, and investments that unlock private sector activity. The aim is…
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Former Israeli military legal chief arrested over detainee‑abuse video leak
Overview A former high-ranking official in Israel’s military legal system has been arrested after admitting to authorizing the leak of video footage that appears to show soldiers assaulting a Palestinian detainee in a military facility last year. The case spotlights ongoing debates about transparency, accountability, and the protections for whistleblowers within the armed forces. What…
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Nigeria Emerges as Africa’s Oil Trading Hub: Growth Frontier
Introduction: Nigeria’s Transformation into a Trading Hub Nigeria is positioning itself as a major hub for refined petroleum products in Africa, moving beyond the traditional role of a price-taker. Industry leaders say the country is leveraging its strategic location, expanding infrastructure, and policy reforms to become a regional trading center for downstream oil and gas.…