DTI Chief: PH is a promising Gateway Destination for Agribusiness

BEIJING, CHINA—Trade and Industry Secretary Fred Pascual presented the Philippines as a promising gateway for agricultural and agribusiness products during the Roundtable Meeting (RTM) on Agribusiness held on 5 January 2023. The Meeting was led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr and attended by Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Senator Imee Marcos, other members of the Cabinet, and Chinese companies engaged in agribusiness.

The RTM provided an overview of the Philippines’ Agribusiness Sector and facilitated the sharing of the country's major interests in establishing cooperation with China and maximizing the potentials of our bilateral agricultural cooperation, especially in areas such as agri trade and agribusiness investments.

Secretary Pascual emphasized the agricultural and labor assets of the country and mentioned that, "As an agriculture-based manufacturing hub, the Philippines has a large domestic market of more than 110 million Filipinos. Our country’s rising middle-income class drives consumption. In 2021, private consumption comprised over 70% of Philippines’ GDP. We also have a large working-age population and a growing pool of skilled workforce.

Clearly, the Philippines is a highly promising production base for agribusiness. Thus, we invite you to consider the Philippines as an investment destination for plantations and processing facilities."

The meeting covered three key sections: (1) Trade; (2) Investments; and (3) Agricultural Inputs. The Philippine Delegation pushed for an increase in the number of Philippine fresh produce with access to the Chinese market and confirmed that the market for Durian fruit is now open to Philippine exporters and Chinese importers. Following the signing of the protocol on market access for Philippine Durian to China, participating companies conveyed purchase intentions for Philippine fruits of as much as US$ 2.09 Billion.

Furthermore, a total of USD1.72 billion worth of investment pledges were gathered in areas such as Durian production, processing and marketing, coconut and other food processing, as well as on alternative green technology for animal feeds, and other agricultural products.

DTI, in collaboration with other government agencies and key stakeholders, remains committed in transforming agricultural farming into a thriving agribusiness-driven sector through science, technology, and innovation. This can contribute not only to diversify and increase the value of agricultural inputs but also to attain inclusive growth and rural development.

Regional insurtech Igloo Launches New travel insurance product - Travel Master with COVID-19 in partnership with GCash and Malayan Insurance

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Regional insurtech firm Igloo, in partnership with GCash and leading local underwriter Malayan Insurance, recently launched Travel Master with COVID-19, a comprehensive travel insurance product to be offered and purchased on the e-wallet. The brand-new product offers coverage for personal accident, emergency medical treatment, hospital cash allowance, travel inconvenience benefits, and COVID-19 protection. With tourism on the upswing due to the easing of restrictions, Travel Master with COVID-19 will enable Filipinos to undertake trips with assured protection in the event of a medical emergency due to the pandemic.

In the forum titled ‘The Philippines and Revenge Tourism – Are We Ready?’ Tourism Secretary, Bernadette Romulo Puyat shared that ‘Revenge Travel’ or leisure travel that follows a period of being unable to travel is driving the tourism boom in the country. Since easing restrictions in February 2022, the country has seen a gradual rise in travel - particularly to local destinations - among Filipinos. In fact, 85% of tourism contribution to the gross domestic product can be attributed to domestic travel, which is expected to grow further with the opening of more local destinations. Travel Master with COVID-19 will help Filipinos be prepared for health and travel risks for their trips.

“As more Filipinos become more comfortable with traveling, our new travel insurance product in collaboration with our long-term partner GCash, will work as a key enabler to facilitate safe travel for Filipinos. Being an affordable, yet comprehensive product, that addresses common travel risks including contracting COVID-19 it will offer travelers the coverage they need so they can enjoy their trip and have peace of mind,” shared Mario Berta, Country Manager for the Philippines at Igloo. “GCash Travel Master with COVID-19 once again highlights Igloo’s commitment to co-creation of insurance products that are relevant and accessible to all Filipinos.”

Underwritten by Malayan Insurance, the benefits of Travel Insurance include Personal Accident with Emergency Medical Treatment for COVID-19 for up to Php 2,500,000, Hospital Cash Allowance due to COVID-19 of up to Php 4,000, and Travel Inconvenience of up to Php 50,000. It also has value-added features such as Car Rental Protection of up to Php 500,000 and Sports Activities Extension of up to Php 100,000. The insurance product is also supported by 24-hour worldwide travel assistance in partnership with Assist America for the medical needs of the insured.

GCash Travel Master with COVID-19 powered by Igloo
Topline benefits
Personal Accident with Emergency Medical Treatment for COVID-19	Up to Php 2,500,000
Hospital Cash Allowance due to COVID-19	Up to o Php 4,000
Travel Inconvenience	Up to Php 50,000
Value-added benefits
Car Rental Protection	Up to Php 500,000
Sports Activities Extension	Up to Php 100,000

Available through GCash’s GInsure marketplace, premiums start at Php 950 for local or inbound, Php 970 for Asia, and Php 1,190 for worldwide travel with up to a 90-day maximum coverage period. 

GCash Travel Master with COVID-19 is the fourth product launched under Igloo and GCash’s partnership. In September 2021, the partners launched the first Online Shopping insurance in the market, followed by Mobile Insurance products and Pet Insurance in 2022.

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About Igloo:

Igloo is the first full-stack insurtech firm to emerge from Singapore. It has offices in Singapore, Indonesia,  Thailand,  The  Philippines,  Vietnam  and  Malaysia  and  tech  centres in China and India.  With a mission of making insurance accessible for all, the firm leverages big data, real-time risk assessment, and end-to-end automated claims management to create B2B2C insurance solutions for platform companies and insurance companies. Igloo’s insurance solutions enable companies  to  eliminate  their  exposure  to operational  risk,  create  new  revenue  streams,  and optimise  and  enhance  existing  products  and  services.  Igloo  has  partnered  with  over  55  well-known   brand   names   across   the   markets   in   various   verticals,   including   insurance, telecommunications, e-commerce, hospitality, health tech and financial services.

For more information, please visit https://www.iglooinsure.com/.

How to Make Your Holiday Break more Awesome

There’s only a limited number of days we can spend away from deadlines every year. Sure, we get days off on long weekends or special holidays, but it’s only during Christmas time that we get to truly pause, spend quality time with our loved ones, and catch up with the things that we love to do.

The holiday season is an excellent time to relax and forget about work and school, even for just a short while. A two-week break may pass by quickly, so it’s important to make every day count and be intentional with your time. This way, you get to have a more productive and meaningful break that you’ll always remember. 

Catch-up with family and friends

Holidays are hectic, but they’re also the most fun with the company of the people you care about. Attend get-togethers and reunions as much as you can. Stay connected with your family members who are miles away from home through voice calls and video chats. These moments are great reminders that you are loved, no matter how much time you spend apart. 

Carefully decide what gifts to get for your loved ones 

You ought to sit down and think about what your loved ones would actually like to receive if you want to give them the most meaningful presents this year. Make a list of everyone who helped make this year particularly great, and use this as a moment to give them gifts to show your appreciation and love. Spend less time wandering through the mall and more time creating memories.

Pamper and spoil yourself, too

And finally, never forget the most important person that should be on your holiday list: you. Maximize the time you have this season by treating yourself with a well-deserved me-time—get to the hobby you’ve always been putting off, visit your favorite massage place, or buy yourself something new. It’s always a good idea to take breaks every once in a while, especially if it means doing things that make you happy. 

Let this holiday season be a reminder that the best things in life don't have to be the most expensive ones. Oftentimes, you find awesomeness in your family's smiles, simple occasions shared with friends, and quality time with yourself. Of course, these moments are best remembered when you capture them with a reliable smartphone, just like Samsung’s latest Galaxy A Series devices.

Whether it’s for your loved ones or for yourself, the Galaxy A04s, A04, and A04e are ideal smartphones to make every moment count this holiday season. These devices will let you maximize your experience and do more as you embrace awesome moments. The Galaxy A04s is packed with a 50MP Triple Camera and 128GB expandable storage of up to 1TB perfect for taking snapshots with loved ones on Christmas Eve. While the Galaxy A04 and A04e sport a MediaTek Helio P35 Octa-core processor and 5,000 mAh long-lasting battery life ideal for daily-drivers who love to be productive over the holiday season.

The Galaxy A04s, A04, and A04e are available for as low as PHP 6,490 SRP at Samsung.com, Samsung Experience Stores, select Authorized Samsung Stores, Lazada, Shopee, Abenson.com, MemoXpress Online, and other accredited retailers. 

To know more about the latest best-value Samsung Galaxy A Series smartphones, visit samsung.com/ph.

Safe Samsung Shopping

Health and safety protocols are strictly followed in Samsung Experience Stores to keep consumers and employees safe. Adhering to the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Samsung has implemented the mandatory use of face masks, and performs frequent sanitation in all stores. 

Samsung Experience Stores also has unique QR health declaration codes to promote a safe and contactless contact tracing process. Product demonstrations are done side-by-side instead of face-to-face while keeping the required safe distance of one (1) meter to make sure everyone is socially distanced.

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About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

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