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Why do Business in the Philippines

Competitive Destination
The Philippines is among the best money-per-value destination.

It has liberalized services industry.

It is cost efficient in terms of wages over labor standard expectations and low operational cost

It contains a strategic logistics access point in ASEAN +3

With Strong remittances, its gross international reserves are at levels above international benchmarks

The country has a vast pool of homegrown talents and highly adaptable resources

The Philippines has a very commited and supportive governance which, in the case of BOI relates into investor management solutions from prospecting and nurturing investments

The Filipino
Among the Philippines' most treasured resources is its people.

As a People.
      Filipinos place great importance on faith and education, influenced by its history of Spanish colonization and American occupation. About 85% of Filipinos are Roman Catholics, with the Church playing a significant role in the people’s social and cultural lives. Only Mindanao, the southern island cluster in the country, embraced Islam, which was introduced to the region by Arab traders in the past.

      Adult literacy rate in the Philippines is among the highest in the world, at about 95%. The Philippine educational system begins with three years at the pre-primary level; six to seven years in primary education; four years in secondary education; followed typically by a four-year university course. Proceeding to graduate school is popular among middle- and upper-class Filipinos, especially those involved in business. A typical school year begins in June and ends in March. The official language used in both public and private schools is English, but Filipino (mainly based in Tagalog) is widely spoken.

As a Worker
      The combination of a high value for education and the usage of English as the primary medium of instruction in Philippine schools has resulted in a Filipino labor force equipped with competent technical skills and English proficiency. This puts the Philippines in a prime position for opportunities in industries such as manufacturing, electronics, outsourcing and offshoring. The Filipinos are also multi-culturally sensitive professionals with innately caring and service-oriented characters that are ideal for professions such as medicine, wellness, customer service, and tourism.

As a Partner
      Filipinos give high importance to establishing good personal relations with their business contacts. They are trusting and friendly, and value affable but professional business relationships.

PJEPA convened Sub-Committee on Improvement of Business Environment.

DTI Undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal (right), co-chaired the 4th Meeting of the Sub-Committee on the Improvement of Business Environment under the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA) held last 28 March 2012 in Manila. During the meeting, both countries noted the increasing interest shown by Japanese investors in the Philippines as evidenced by recent commitments as well as expanded investments by Japanese companies. Both sides agreed to invite further investments in the Philippines and to continue dialogues with business communities. These dialogues aim for steady and concrete progress on the resolution of specific issues regarding the business environment and to ensure transparency, predictability, and consistency. Both sides further agreed the importance of developing the Philippines as a training hub for ASEAN. (DTI-PRO)

WTO 4th Trade Policy Review of the Philippines: Steady economic growth driven by credible leadership, reforms.

Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) commended the steady economic growth of the Philippines during the WTO Trade Policy Review (TPR) held recently in Geneva, Switzerland. The TPR cited the Philippines’ annual real GDP growth rate of 5% amid the global financial crisis and other external shocks. The WTO TPR is a transparency mechanism of the WTO where Member countries undergo period reviews. In the photo are (L-R): Discussant Martin Glass, Permanent Representative of Hong Kong, China; Philippine Undersecretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy Adrian S. Cristobal Jr., head of the Philippine delegation to the TPR; and Colombian Ambassador Eduardo Munoz, chair of the WTO TPR Body. (DTI-PRO)

Firming up bilateral ties.

Trade Undersecretary Cristino L. Panlilio (left), along with other Philippine government officials, poses with key Korean officials during the Philippine-Korea Development/ Business Partnership Forum at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel last March 22, 2012. Panlilio is joined by (left to right): Philippine Agricultural Development and Commercial Corporation (PADCC) President Marriz B. Agbon, Philippine-Korea Business Council Chair and President Elton See Tan, Ministry of Knowledge Economy Former Secretary Joong-Kyung Choi, Senator Edgardo J. Angara, Financial News Inc. Chairman Jae-Ho Jeon, Public Works and Highways Assistant Secretary Maria Catalina E. Cabral, Agriculture Undersecretary Bernadette Puyat, Asian Development Bank Chief Economist Chang-Yong Rhee and KOTRA Executive Vice President Sung-Keun Oh. The forum intends to develop mutually beneficial partnerships and further increase trade and investments between the Philippines and South Korea. (DTI-PRO)

Philippine-Israel Business Forum.

Trade Undersecretary Cristino L. Panlilio (second from left) met with Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Menashe Bar-On (second from right) during the Philippine-Israel Business Forum held at the DTI International Building on March 7, 2012. The forum aims to introduce new business and trade opportunities between Philippines and Israel, and to discuss current trends, consumption habits, import-export policies and procedure and other business standards and practices. Also in the photo are (from left) Philippine Honorary Consul to Israel and Jerusalem Mr. Shimon Weinbaum (left), and Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines President Josef Gueta. (DTI-PRO)

Renewable Energy developer gets BOI nod.

Trade Undersecretary and Board of Investments Managing Head Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. (second from left) awards the BOI Certificate of Registration to Alternergy Chief Executive Officer Vincent Perez (third from left) at the BOI on March 6, 2012. Alternergy’s P23 billion investment program covers three wind power projects with a combined capacity of 180 MW. Also in the photo, from left to right: BOI Executive Director Lucita P. Reyes, Alternergy Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Knud Hedeager, and Corporate Finance Officer Alma Roxas. (DTI-PRO)