For foreigners who are thinking of investing in Negros, this section provides you with an introduction to the Philippine Peso. The peso is the country’s currency. One peso is divided into a hundred centavos. Coins are available for the values of 5, 10 and 25 cents. There are bills for 25, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 pesos. As of mid August 2009, a single peso was equivalent to 0.013 British Pounds, 0.015 Euros and 0.021 US Dollars. Conversely, as of the same period, one pound was equivalent to 79 pesos; one Euro fetched 68 pesos; and one US dollar equalled 48 pesos.

There are various banks in developed Negrense cities like Bacolod and Dumaguete. However, you need to find a bank that does accept international transactions. You should also ask, before dining or shopping in an establishment, if it accepts credit card payments. This is especially true in areas that are not highly urbanised.

One of the biggest costs that investing in the Philippines entails is the amount that you have to spend on government agencies. For example, if you will be putting up a business, then you will have to pay a lot on evaluation or inspection costs, registration expenses and permit fees.

The cost of living in the province of Negros is not as high as that of Metro Manila. This means that the province also requires a lower capital and offers a lower cost for running a business. Still, rates may vary depending on the city or town you choose. Before pursuing your investment, it would be best to inquire about local rates for electricity, water supply, telephone lines, Internet connection and office space rental. It would be best to consult a Filipino lawyer about business taxes and tax exemptions.