Executives of Asia United Bank (AUB) remain optimistic the Philippine economy will stay robust driven by strong consumption and massive infrastructure spending by the Duterte administration. AUB President Manuel Gomez issued the statement amid the challenges and risks in both the domestic and global fronts.

Gomez told the bank stockholders during its annual meeting that the increasing interest rates and inflation, slowing global economy, normalization of policy in advanced economies like the United States and Europe, as well as threats of trade war, pose challenges and volatility in the local financial market.

He said, “Amid these uncertainties, we are optimistic the domestic economy stays robust, driven by healthy consumption and the government’s spending on infrastructure fuelling the growth.”

Antonio Agcaoili Jr., AUB executive vice president and head of treasure dismissed any threat coming from the recent decision by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to raise policy interest rates on Thursday, the second in less than six weeks.

“We don’t feel the impact to be tremendous in the economy. We feel that this is no big threat to the economy. We think the GDP (gross domestic product) forecast given by the central bank is still within 6.8 to 7 percent (and) is still pretty much achievable, attainable,” Agcaoili said.

Gomez noted that AUB, this year, is banking on sustained lending growth, branch expansion, increased low-cost funding sources, strengthening its manpower training and development, and intensifying its information technology collaboration.

He added that the bank is also increasing its expenditures for this year by 23%, higher than the 13-percent growth in spending for 2017.

AUB likewise plans to open 15 new branches this year, particularly strengthening its presence outside Metro Manila. Four branches will be located in Mindanao, three in Visayas, two in northern Luzon, and two in southern Luzon. Three new branches will be launched in the National Capital Region, as well.

AUB also partnered with Alipay, following its successful tie-up with WeChat Pay, eyeing to tap millions of Chinese tourists coming to the Philippines.

AUB head of credit cards business Mags Surtida said that it is already a behavior of consumers in China to make payments through mobile platforms, such as WeChat Pay and Alipay, and the company would like to give Chinese tourists in the Philippines the same experience through AUB’s partnership with these two digital payment platforms. With PNA