MANILA, Philippines -Billionaire Teresita Sy-Coson, head of the shopping mall and banking giant SM Investments Corp., is cautiously optimistic about growth in 2024 as spiking tensions in the West Philippine Sea temper the robust economic outlook.

“Left to ourselves, we are going to do well but there are geopolitical tensions and climate change,” Coson, who is vice chair of the Philippines’ biggest conglomerate by market value, told reporters in an interview late Wednesday.

Read More–>PH tycoon cautious on 2024 growth outlook amid West PH Sea dispute