DTI, Jollibee Partner for Buy Local, Go Lokal and #FlexPHridays Campaign

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) named the country’s leading fast-food chain, Jollibee, its new campaign partner for its #FlexPHridays national advocacy campaign, an offshoot of the Buy Local, Go Lokal campaign, which is a brainchild of Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

“The DTI’s Go Lokal national advocacy campaign—through #FlexPHridays—has been integral to the Department’s whole-of-society initiative to promote and support local businesses amid the pandemic’s impact on the country’s economy. We are glad that Jollibee, a well-loved Filipino brand, is our new partner in this endeavor,” he said.

As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, DTI launched the Buy Local, Go Lokal advocacy campaign program in 2020 to inspire optimism among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and stimulate the demand for locally manufactured goods, services, and locally grown fresh produce amid the pandemic. The #FlexPHridays campaign is a spinoff of the Buy Local, Go Lokal campaign to widen its reach and attract more advocates.

The trade chief added, “Capitalizing on the online behavior of consumers, DTI’s #FlexPHridays advocacy campaign invites all Filipino consumers to flex or showcase products they’ve purchased from local businesses. The campaign aims to make this a Friday habit to encourage everyone to purchase locally-made products and express pride in the quality of Filipino products.”

With the new partnership, Jollibee is set to create digital content and promote the #FlexPHridays campaign across their social media channels and feature selected DTI-endorsed MSMEs in the campaign. Every week, different products and services will be promoted via social media including clothing, accessories, and furniture, among others.

Jollibee Foods Corporation, the brand parent’s company, is a staunch supporter of small businesses and has been involved in promoting agro-entrepreneurship for years, advocating for small-scale farming communities through the Farmers Entrepreneurship Program of the Jollibee Group Foundation.

‘Flex’ culture

The campaign leverages the emergent “flex” culture in social media where people take pride in sharing photos of items they own or have recently purchased on their accounts or in different online communities. The overarching goal is to support local industries such as hospitality, arts and crafts, design, fashion, film, video, photography, music, performing arts, publishing, TV/radio, and other manufacturing and services sectors.

Promoting Filipino products

This national campaign aims to further promote local products and services and inspire a sense of pride among Filipino consumers. It is a user-generated campaign (UGC) that allows individuals with social media accounts to be part of the campaign where they create and share content in the form of pictures, videos, testimonials, tweets, and blog posts, among others.

DTI continues to establish strategic partnerships with retailers, manufacturers, industry associations, local government units (LGUs), and government agencies to ensure the sustainability of the campaign and reach a broader spectrum of consumers.

Additionally, people can participate in the campaign every Friday by posting their Outfit of the Day (OOTD), homes, beauty regimen, and so much more that are locally made to promote homegrown products and services. The creators and companies manufacturing Philippine products can be featured, too.

Help local businesses and be part of the #FlexPHriday Movement today. Share your own #FlexPHriday post, too! Follow FlexPHriday’s socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flexphridays/. For more info or inquiries on the campaign, you may email Director Marievic M. Bonoan of the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion or Imee Lopez, Go Lokal officer, at bdtp@dti.gov.ph.

DTI Releases Policy Advisory on Basic Consumer Rights

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB), issued Policy Advisory No. 22-01 on the Eight (8) Basic Consumer Rights. This is to elucidate the legal bases of the rights in guiding consumers on which laws to invoke in reference to their rights.

The Eight (8) Basic Consumer Rights are the rights to Basic Needs, Safety, Information, Choice, Redress, Representation, Redress, Consumer Education, and a Healthy Environment.

In a special message to the US Congress on 15 March 1962, US President John F. Kennedy first outlined a vision of Consumer Rights. He stressed the relevance of safeguarding consumers against faulty or defective products and against misleading or deceptive advertising methods. Consumers Internationale, which consists of country consumer groups, supported this vision and conducted campaigns on consumer rights. Consequently, the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC) issued Resolution 1984/63, United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection, adopting the Consumer Rights, on 26 July 1984. During the 106th United Nations Plenary Meeting on 09 April 1985, the UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection were elaborated through ECOSOC Resolution 39/248. The UN ECOSOC expanded this to include Sustainable Consumption through Resolution 1999/7, and during the 81st United Nations Plenary Meeting on 22 December 2015, the Second Committee adopted Resolution 70/186 on Consumer Protection to address technological challenges that consumers face.

In the Philippines, the 1987 Philippine Constitution and Republic Act No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, protect consumers from trade malpractices, and specifies the rights of consumers and the responsibilities of sellers, producers, retailers, distributors, and manufacturers. However, these are not the exclusive source of consumer rights.

DTI-Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo emphasizes, “This policy advisory promotes a deeper understanding and appreciation of consumer welfare and consumer rights”.

The policy advisory listed the legal bases for each consumer right. DTI-Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB) Director Atty. M. Marcus N. Valdez II points out that, “The laws provided in the advisory for the protection and promotion of consumer rights are not exclusive as other laws, rules, regulations, and issuances may also be sources of consumer rights. As far as practicable, the Basic Consumer Rights should be referred to or invoked in all matters related to consumer protection, including but not limited to settlements, decisions, resolutions in mediation or adjudication of consumer complaints.”

A copy of the advisory can be downloaded from the DTI website.

For consumer-related concerns and queries, send an email to ConsumerCare@dti.gov.ph or call the One-DTI (1-384) Hotline.

DTI, USAID mobilize “Fish Right” Program for marine supply chain development in MIMAROPA

After a two-year hiatus since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and United States Agency International Development (USAID) commenced the implementation of the Fish Right Program that aims to link organized fishers’ groups and incentivize the adoption of responsible fishing practices in coastal communities.

Representatives from the DTI, USAID, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and local government units convened in Busuanga and Culion, Palawan, on April 27-29, 2022, for an onsite Fish Right planning and site visit to the proposed beneficiaries. The pilot batch of people’s associations identified and assessed for the program include the Busuanga Federation of Fisherfolks and Farmers Associations, Busuanga Gender Network, Bogtong Fish Processors Association, 3BG (Brgy. Bogtong Bantay Gubat), Baldat Fisherfolks and Farmers Association, and the Barangay Quezon MPA Management Council.

Assistant Secretary Joan Karen A. Riola of the DTI’s Legal Services, Director Lydia R. Guevarra of the DTI’s Resource Generation and Management Service, and Director Patricia May M. Abejo of the DTI’s Knowledge Management and Information Service oversaw the onsite ocular and planning activity. Apart from this, the DTI representatives have also conducted an information session on the agency’s programs and services for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) during their visit.

In the next two years, the program aims to develop value-added products based on actual industry needs and in support of strengthening local food security, mainstream ecosystem-approach to fisheries management (EAFM) and responsible seafood sourcing (RSS) in business operations, and scale-up by creating more fish consolidation hubs.

“DTI is in constant partnership with organizations such as USAID and BFAR to meet the needs of our fishing communities in MIMAROPA. As the economic arm of the state, DTI’s role is to improve the lives of these fisherfolks and their families through livelihood and technology assistance, and this, subsequently, contribute to fisheries management and climate resilience in rural areas,” said DTI MIMAROPA Regional Director Joel B. Valera.

DTI Caraga Distributes Livelihood Kits to Small Stores Affected by ‘Odette’ in Siargao

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga, through its provincial office in Surigao del Norte, distributed livelihood kits on 23 March to eligible micro-entrepreneurs (MEs) affected by Super Typhoon Odette in Siargao Islands.

Odette made landfall in the province, particularly Siargao Island on December 16 that displaced around 48,204 families or 157,052 individuals. This affected not only the tourism industry of the island, but also the agriculture and fishery sectors.

In response, DTI through the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) turned over livelihood kits to a total of 113 MEs in the municipalities of San Isidro, Del Carmen, Sta. Monica, San Benito, Pilar, and Burgos at Surigao State College of Technology (SCCT) - Del Carmen Campus.

These MEs were comprised of 84 sari-sari stores, four water refilling businesses, three dry goods stores, five printing services, three agrivet supply stores, six carenderias, three native delicacies shops, two fish trading, one internet café, one school supply store, and one poultry farm.

Simultaneously, kits were distributed to 75 MEs in the Municipality of Dapa and General Luna headed by Provincial Director Arnold Faelnar.

“It is our hope that this will support the recovery and continuity of the affected people and businesses in the island,” said Regional Director Gay Tidalgo who personally led the distribution.

Displaced Workers in Tacloban find New Hope for Livelihood

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) brought silver lining to local folks as the agency successfully turned over equipment under the Shared Service Facility (SSF) program providing livelihood support to displaced carpenters, welders, painters, and other skilled workers in the northern barangays of Tacloban City, March 22.

These construction workers once lived in the city proper near the Cancabato Bay who were relocated by the local government to northern barangays after their homes had been devastated by Typhoon Yolanda.

Lack of livelihood is the top challenge faced by these men who had been displaced from their place of work. Some of them are fishermen who, by their current situation, are far off the shore and were forced to shift to the construction industry for employment and income.

The local government of Tacloban saw this opportunity to capacitate these men thru TESDA trainings and provision of equipment via DTI’s SSF program. This will help them become productive members of the society.

“Ang role namin ay magbigay ng equipment at magpalakas sa ating mga kababayan. Maaari rin po kayong matulungan ng DTI through our livelihood programs para magkaroon ng tuluy-tuloy na kabuhayan,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

SSF is one of DTI’s programs to address bottlenecks in the value chain of priority industries and enhance productivity of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by providing technical support and processing or manufacturing equipment in a shared system.

The initiative complements the priority program of the LGU to provide livelihoods in the relocated communities of Tacloban. These areas came from hardly-hit barangays of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013 and were displaced from their place of livelihood. The project is expected to gen erate jobs and income for the skilled workers in the relocated sites.

The project amounts to PHP 928,400 for the tools and equipment used for basic construction. The potential beneficiaries are skilled graduates of TESDA NC II and accredited schools for welding, carpentry, and painters.

Secretary Lopez graced the said launching together with DTI Regional Operations Group (ROG) Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, Assistant Secretaries Asteria Caberte, Demphna Du-Naga, and Dominic Tolentino, and Regional Director Celerina Bato.

DTI encourages the promotion of MSMEs to a higher level where they could tap a better production facility for wider market share and be integrated with the global supply chain. 

DTI Reminds Establishments to Still Follow Health Protocols even under Alert Level 1

The Department of Trade and Industry reminds establishments to still follow the Minimum Public Health Standards (MPHS) set by the government even after the National Capital Region (NCR) shifted to Alert Level 1 beginning 01 March 2022.

On 04 March 2022, DTI-Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG) Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo and DTI Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) Assistant Director Marimel Dancel Porciuncula led the surveillance and monitoring team in inspecting the health protocols compliance of establishments in one (1) mall in Quezon City.

The DTI-FTEB team spot-checked a total of seven (7) establishments covering personal care services, cinemas and movie houses, recreational venues, dine-in and take-out restaurants, supermarkets, and fitness and gym venues.

Digital Animation, Game Dev’t get boost with Philippine Skills Framework

As the world of work rapidly evolves, the need to create mechanisms and systems to upskill and reskill Filipino talents becomes more imminent.

The Philippine Trade Training Center - Global MSME Academy (PTTC-GMEA), the project direction unit of the Philippine Skills Framework, along with 10 other government agencies, is in full force as it launches the Philippine Skills Framework for Digital Animation and Game Development this March 9, 2022.

“Fresh from the 36th founding anniversary celebration of the Philippine Trade Training Center, we are very ecstatic to launch the PSF for Game Development and Digital Animation – two industries that are highly competitive and rapidly evolving. These two skills frameworks, designed with the help of our industry experts, will surely give these industries a big boost as they upskill and reskill to become more globally competitive,” Executive Director Nelly Nita N. Dillera said.

Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez will grace the program, together with DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba. Industry experts and PSF contextualizers Mark Meily and Paraluman Cruz Javier will also be present at the launch.

The Philippine Skills Framework is an inter-agency effort to build the skills and competencies of the country’s human capital and better prepare them for the future economy. The first PSF, which targeted the logistics and supply chain industry, was launched last June 25, 2021.

Interested participants may join the launch by registering through https://bit.ly/PSFLaunchDigAniGameDev

DTI celebrates World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) 2022

In solidarity with different consumer groups in over 100 countries around the world, the Department of Trade and Industry commemorates this year’s World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) through the Consumer Care Webinar Series this March.

The consumer movement, through the Consumers International (CI), marks the 15th of March as WCRD to highlight issues on consumerism and raise awareness on consumer rights, consumer protection and empowerment. This year’s WCRD carries the theme, “Fair Digital Finance,” and calls for a global movement to ensure fair digital finance that is inclusive, safe, data protected and private, and sustainable.

As a firm response, the DTI – Consumer Protection Group, through its Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB), will foster public discourse on fair financial services in the digital world in its Consumer Care Webinar Series. The following are the webinar topics that are lined up for March 2022:

01 March: Consumer Protection in Digital Financial Services;
08 March: Consumer Protection and Security Policies of e-Payment Platforms;
16 March: Tips for Tax Payers and Online Filing of Taxes;
22 March: Consumer Tips in Managing Credit Cards and Maintaining a Good Credit

Standing;

29 March: Guidebook on Basic Banking and Financial Transactions.

“The DTI encourages all consumers to observe the WCRD and learn more on digital finance by joining us in our Consumer Care Webinar Series,” said DTI Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo as well as the international celebration of the WCRD on March 15.

The DTI Consumer Care Webinar Series is a regular virtual program conducted through Zoom and Facebook Live, every Tuesday, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

For details and updates on the succeeding webinars and details on the March 15 WCRD celebration, consumers are advised to regularly check the DTI Consumer Care social media pages.

For consumer-related concerns and queries, send an email to ConsumerCare@dti.gov.ph or call the One-DTI (1-384) Hotline.

Over USD 23.6 Million in Export Sales Reported on first four days of PH participation in Gulfood 2022

The Philippine participation in Gulfood 2022, facilitated a running total of USD 23,634,500.00 in export sales in the first four days of the expo. The Philippine delegation is still expecting to generate more sales as the event and the business-to-business (B2B) matching activities conclude. The country showcased its finest tropical food selections, top halal-certified food products, and unique local flavors at Gulfood 2022, held recently at the Sheikh Rashid Hall, Dubai World Trade Centre, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from February 13 to 17, 2022.

Led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), this year’s delegation marks the 17th participation of the Philippines at Gulfood and is the biggest Philippine group that has joined in the global trade event. Featuring a hybrid setup, the Philippine Pavilion featured product displays with food tasting areas and meeting spaces, and interactive kiosks with QR codes providing more information about the exhibitors.

The 2022 cohort also benefited from CITEM’s updated content and lead generation platforms for the local food industry, IFEXConnect.com and FOODPhilippines.com, which provide a seamless sourcing experience for buyers and exhibitors all year-round. While all thirty-nine exhibitors got to showcase their products online, nine companies were able to exhibit onsite in Dubai.

“The Philippines is a great sourcing destination for food products because of its diverse agricultural landscapes and rich gastronomy. Especially with this pandemic, the demand for healthy and halal-certified food products is high, and the country is poised to be a leader in this category,” said CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan.

The Gulf Food Hotel and Equipment Exhibition Salon Culinaire, known popularly as Gulfood, is one of the world’s biggest food and hospitality industry expos. The trade and business platform provides buyers and exhibitors to strengthen their presence and foothold in the Middle East and African (MEA) region.

“Gulfood has always been a strategic platform for the Philippines and our companies to showcase our premium Halal exports to the world. This year’s participation in Gulfood is a testament to our commitment to export more halal-certified products to the world as our companies and institutions continue to develop more products and seek new ways to reach Halal consumers worldwide,” says DTI Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman.

Usec. Abdulgani Macatoman led the walkthrough of the Philippine Pavilion for the VIPs, which included Undersecretary Robert Eric A. Borje, Special Envoy of the President; Congressman Christopher De Venecia, Consul General Renato N. Dueñas, Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar, Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines Assistant Secretary Noel Prudente, DTI Assistant Secretary Joan Riola, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines Director General Roel Barba, and Board of Investments Governor Angelica Cayas. More officials attended the ceremonies in full support of Gulfood 2022 as it is also one of the business events that support the Philippine National Week in Expo Dubai.

They were also joined by the organizing team of the Philippine participation at Gulfood 2022, which included CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan, Export Marketing Bureau Director Christopher Lawrence Amuco, and Commercial Attache Charmaine Mignon Yalong.

Also in attendance at the ceremony is Chef JP Anglo, who recently opened Filipino restaurant Kooya in Dubai. The celebrated chef joins the movement for promoting and strengthening Filipino cuisine in the region.

The Philippine Pavilion at Gulfood 2022 showcased the products of Agrinurture, Inc., Brandexports Philippines Inc./8VX Corporation, Business Innovations Gateway, Inc., Century Pacific Food, Inc., CJ Uniworld Corp., Federation of People's Sustainable Development Corp., Fenor Foods Corporation, Fisher Farms Inc., Fruits of Life Inc., Gem Foods International Inc., Greenlife Coconut Products Philippines Inc., Innovative Packaging Industry Corp., Janicahh Food Products, JNRM Corporation, KLT Fruits, Inc., Krystle Exports Philippines Inc., Limketkai Manufacturing Corp., MagicMelt Food Inc., Marikina Food Corporation., Market Reach International Resources, Mega Global Corporation, Miguelitos International Corporation, Pasciolco Agriventures, Peter Paul Philippines, Philippine Grocers Food Exports, Inc., Q-Phil International Trading, Sabroso Chocolate Manufacturing, SandPiper Spices and Condiments Corp., SL Agritech Corporation, Unilab Inc. /Sekaya Global, Universal Canning Inc., Cocoturmeric Health Products, KF Nutri Foods International, Inc., AG Pacific Nutriceuticals Corporation, Nutrarich Nutraceutical Innovations, Ahya Coco Organic Food Manufacturing, Gacayan General Merchandise, PMTZ Care Marketing, and Malagos Agri-Ventures Corporation.

The Philippines’ participation in Gulfood builds on and strengthens the continuous demand for the country’s halal-certified food exports to the MEA region. Data from the Philippine Trade Investment Center (PTIC) in Dubai indicates that high-quality fruits such as mango, pineapple, coconut, and other fruits and plant-based products constantly enjoy high demand and meet Halal production standards.

“Our promotion of Philippine food to UAE and other countries does not end with our participation in Gulfood. We are continuously promoting our export products 24/7, anytime, anywhere through IFEXConnect.com, our B2B platform for food exporters, and FOODPhilippines.com, our leads generation and promotion platform for Filipino food. These websites allow us to widen our reach and strengthen our engagement across the globe. Buyers and food enthusiasts who want to know more about Philippine food are welcome to check out our platforms,” added Suaco-Juan.

The Philippines’ participation in Gulfood 2022 is made possible with CITEM’s partnerships with the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Dubai and Jeddah; the RAPID Growth Project; and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA). The consolidated efforts of these offices are all in support of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their recovery amid the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following the events at Gulfood 2022, a face-to-face business-to-business (B2B) matching activity will be held on February 18, 2022, at the Jumeriah Beach Hotel, organized by the EMB in partnership with PTIC Dubai and Jeddah. There will also be an online networking event for Gulfood Digital participants from March 1 to 3, 2022 to connect Philippine exporters to prospective buyers. The initiative is organized by CITEM in partnership with the EMB and also with PTIC Dubai and Jeddah.

For more information, visit ifexconnect.com/trade-fair/Gulfood. 

 

About CITEM 

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) export promotions arm committed to nurturing the global competitiveness of Philippine micro, small, and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs), exporters, designers, and manufacturers. The agency aspires toward the highest standards of creativity and innovation, and spanning industries including home, fashion, lifestyle, and food sectors. 

 

About FOODPhilippines.com 

FOODPhilippines.com is an interactive community platform with stories celebrating and promoting Philippine food. The platform is replete with narratives on food heritage, culinary personalities, and well-loved recipes as well as innovative takes on Pinoy food.  

www.foodphilippines.com 

 

About IFEXConnect.com 

IFEXConnect.com is a promotions and lead generation platform with business functionalities catered toward the needs of food exhibitors and buyers alike.The business-intensive portal is envisioned to be a sourcing platform that features digital storefronts of Philippine food exporters. Ready to serve the global market, IFEXConnect also has a business-matching facility to ensure access to and discoverability of well-loved Pinoy food products.  

www.ifexconnect.com 

 

About IFEX Digital Expo 

CITEM organized the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines, a homegrown platform for the country’s food sector and the country’s biggest and most respected business-to-business (B2B) event for Asian food and ingredients. The export promotions agency is also in the thick of preparations for the digital iteration of IFEX Philippines, the IFEX Digital Expo. From expos, workshops, business-matching, and networking sessions, the IFEX Digital Expo will have food-intensive activities suited to the taste of anyone who's in the business and culture of food. 

DTI Extends Filing of Applications for Renewal of Service and Repair Enterprises

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) extended the filing of applications for renewal of Service and Repair Enterprises (SREs) pursuant to DTI Memorandum Circular No. 22-03 Series of 2022: Grant of Grace Period on the Filing of Applications for Renewal of Accreditation of Service and Repair Enterprises which was issued in 31 January 2022.

Holders of Certificates of Accreditation expiring on 31 December 2021 are granted until 31 March 2022 to file their application for the renewal accreditation. During the said period, covered SREs shall be allowed to operate under the same terms and conditions unless their Certificate of Accreditation is revoked or cancelled for any reason other than the expiration of its validity.

Accordingly, the grace period was granted by the government to ensure that SREs shall continue to operate and render their services during the implementation of the new alert levels system this pandemic.

“The law mandates the accreditation of Service and Repair Enterprises in order to protect the interest of the consumers who avail and utilize their services,” DTI-Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG) Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo underscored.

“Notwithstanding the said MC, enforcement activities shall continue against SREs not covered by this MC or those operating without prior accreditation and/or those which accreditation expired on or before 31 December 2021,” said DTI-CPG Assistant Secretary and DTI-Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (DTI-FTEB) Concurrent Director Ronnel O. Abrenica.

Thus, the DTI-FTEB and the DTI Regional Offices will continue to ensure strict compliance of the service and repair shops with the accreditation requirements by conducting regular monitoring and enforcement activities in the country.

As per Presidential Decree No. 1572 and Republic Act 7394, otherwise known as Consumer Act of the Philippines, the DTI aims to regulate SREs in order to provide adequate protection to safeguard the interest of the public against unethical, unfair, and incompetent practice of SREs and to protect reliable and competent SREs against malpractices which undermine their good name and established reputation.

For questions and clarifications regarding the filing of applications for renewal of SREs, dial 1-DTI (1-384) or email consumercare@dti.gov.ph.

PH and UAE Conclude Investment Agreement, Announce Trade Talks

13 February 2022 – The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are headed towards unprecedented economic relations as the two countries concluded negotiations for the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) and jointly announced to start official discussions on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

At the sidelines of the Philippines’ National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai on 11 February 2022, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez and UAE Minister of State Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh recognized the signing of the start of negotiations for the CEPA and committed towards the eventual signing of the IPPA.

After the bilateral meeting, Secretary Lopez and UAE Minister for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi signed the joint statement formally announcing the intent to pursue CEPA.

This is an opportune time for UAE investors as the Philippines develops the necessary investment landscape through significant economic and regulatory reforms such as the liberalization of the Public Service Act, Retail Trade Law, Foreign Investments Act, the CREATE Act and the aggressive Build Build Build programs of the Duterte administration. These are supported by the Philippines’ efforts to improve ease of doing business by streamlining government processes, reducing processing time, and cutting bureaucratic red tape. The opportunities for FDI into several activities are broader and coupled with the IPPA, these investments will reap the benefits of all these reforms and agreements.

“The IPPA is modern, business friendly, and comprehensive, covering promotion, facilitation and protection of investments. The Agreement provides for the establishment of a Joint Committee on Investments (JCI), which will serve as a platform to more closely coordinate and collaborate in implementing a focused investment promotion that create greater impact to both our economies. I urge both sides to quickly convene so we can soon realize the objectives of the Agreement”, Secretary Lopez said.

To further maximize the opportunities for complementation in shared areas of interests and priorities, the Philippines and the UAE are also in the process of finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Economic and Technical Cooperation, which, together with the IPPA, provides the solid foundation for pursuing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

“These initiatives are expected to boost trade and investments between two countries, leading to more diversified economic activities, development of new industries, employment generation, and higher consumer spending as we partner for shared prosperity. The Philippines may serve as a UAE’s strategic hub for the Southeast Asian region, as economic activities continue to shift to Asia. Active engagement between government and business sectors is key in ensuring that both countries will maximize benefits of the Agreements, including diversifying and expanding economic interests,” the trade chief continues.

The DTI Secretary was accompanied in the bilateral meeting by Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, Special Envoy of the President and Presidential Adviser on Foreign Affairs Robert Borje, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Hjayceelyn Quintana, Congresswoman Julienne Baronda,

Congressman Christopher De Venecia, Congresswoman Stella Quimbo, Secretary of Agriculture William Dar, Secretary of Labor and Employment Silvestre Bello III, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, Acting Secretary of Public Works and Highways Roger Mercado.

Philippines ready for more UAE investments

The IPPA is an important pillar for realizing investment opportunities from the UAE, especially those that will tap into their sovereign wealth funds with combined assets of over USD1.6 trillion. Four of the world’s largest funds are based in the UAE, namely the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, the Investment Corporation of Dubai, Mubadala Investment Company, and ADQ.

The UAE’s SWFs will benefit from investing in key sectors in the Philippines, such as agribusiness/agriculture, energy efficiency technologies/renewable energy, IT-BPM/shared services, manufacturing, oil and gas, processed and specialty food, tourism and hospitality, and real estate development.

The Philippines welcomed Letters of Intent from GCC companies during the Philippines Country Business Briefing held on the same day. These LOIs are expected to bring in USD600 million worth of investments and generate 4,000 job opportunities in the country’s healthcare, energy, tourism and hospitality, and dairy industries.