The creation of large liquid benchmarks will improve the trading turnover in the secondary market as this is expected to, among others, reduce the bid-offer spreads on bond prices. Participants will be able to get in or out of the benchmark issues more easily, making trading in Philippine bonds comparable to those in other emerging markets. This will be highly attractive to foreign investors in the market and bring additional business opportunities to the local financial community. This effort will complement earlier initiatives in capital market development, including the creation of the Fixed Income Exchange.

Amando Tetangco