September 2021 | International Law Alerts | Trade and Investment

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez has underscored the benefits of free trade agreements (FTAs) amid unstable conditions brought by the global health and economic crisis.

At least two hyperscale companies will locate in the Philippines this year, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said Wednesday.

An official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Thursday the Philippines and South Korea are now finalizing the bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) and aim to conclude the trade deal next month.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez has urged Japanese firms to invest in the Philippines as opportunities for manufacturing, construction, and energy remain high despite the pandemic.

Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez III urged Wednesday small investors to invest in the Philippines’ first-ever onshore retail dollar bond (RDBs) offering, as this income opportunity is a “win-win proposition” that will promote financial inclusion while raising funds for the country’s economic investments and comprehensive effort to defeat the pandemic.

Australian business process outsourcing (BPO) firms in the Philippines are eyeing remote work arrangements not just as a temporary solution to pandemic-related work constraints but as an enduring model for work arrangements, industry executives said during a webinar on September 23.

Local exporters and MSMEs can receive expert guidance on how to take full advantage of the Philippines-EFTA free trade agreement (PH-EFTA FTA) to break into and expand their existing operations in Europe in an upcoming webinar organized by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture on 28 September 2021 from 4:00PM-6:00PM.

The Philippines seeks to deepen cooperation in construction and infrastructure with China during the Philippine Construction and Infrastructure Opportunities Investment Forum (PCIOIF) on 9 September 2021 held on the second day of the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) 2021 in Xiamen, China.

Filipino product offerings in Woolworths expanded to over 200 stores across Australia in spite of the pandemic after Australia’s largest supermarket chain increased its distribution of Pinoy food products to expand their reach to the Filipino-Australian community.

Certified-Halal exports from the Philippines are now featured in the first ever Virtual Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2021 that runs today until 31 December 2021 ( www.mihasvirtual.com.my ).

Malaysia hosts the World’s Largest Halal Exhibition – a vibrant marketplace for both international and local manufacturers of Halal-Certified products and services. MIHAS offers opportunities beyond Halal food – with Halal pharmaceuticals, finance, modest fashion, personal care and cosmetics, and Muslim-friendly tourism poised to become multi-billion dollar industries in the near future.

The Philippines remains an attractive location for Health Information Management Services (HIMS) operations, and is poised to have a robust growth this year in the face of the ongoing pandemic.

The Board of Investments (BOI) through its Domestic Investments Promotion Service (BOI-DIPS), and the Department of Interior and Local Government through its Bureau of Local Government Development (DILG-BLGD) joined forces in conducting the online DILG Training of Trainers (ToT) on the Crafting and Enhancement of the Local Incentives and Investments Code (LIIC) via Zoom on 19 August 2021.

The Board of Investments (BOI) through its Domestic Investments Promotion Service (BOI-DIPS) recently concluded the virtual Capability Building Training (CBT) known as “Promoting Sustainable Investment in the New Normal and the Local Investments and Incentives Code Review among the local government units (LGUs) of Ilocos Sur province, via Zoom on 26-27 August 2021.