40 Japanese firms set business mission in PHL

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MANILA — At least 40 Japanese firms will be visiting the Philippines early this year for a business mission aiming to explore opportunities in the country.

Philippine Chambers of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President Alfredo M.

Yao told reporters that the organization is receiving delegates from 40 Japanese companies this February coming from different industries.

Yao mentioned that most of these business delegates are small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Japan, however they can be considered as large companies here in the country.

“This shows the strong interest of Japanese companies in the Philippines.

They are optimistic to the country’s economy,” he said.

Aside from Japanese businesses, the Philippines is attracting interest from other foreign firms.

The PCCI chief also mentioned that the organization is also eyeing to attract business missions from Taiwan, South Korea, and Europe to further attract foreign investments in the country.

Yao said this will be PCCI’s first step for its “Kakampi Project” which aims to attract non-ASEAN investors to venture in the Philippines.

“We are inviting countries outside of the ASEAN to put their manufacturing hubs in the Philippines and use the Philippines as their hub to export to ASEAN,” he said.

He cited that one of the competitive advantages in investing in the Philippines including its English-speaking workforce and booming economy, among others.