Trade & Investment
From The Report: The Philippines 2017
View in Online Reader

Strong macroeconomic expansion, rising consumer incomes and soaring import demand has kept trade volumes in the Philippines on a consistent upwards trajectory over the past decade. The country remains in trade deficit, with exports faltering in recent years as a result of external challenges such as low global commodity prices; softening demand in China, Japan and the US; and uncertainty over trade prospects with the EU in light of the Brexit vote. However, rising investment in manufacturing and industry could see the situation shift to a better balance in the coming years. The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is explicitly targeting increased foreign direct investment, deploying a multi-pronged strategy to attract new inflows.

This chapter contains interviews with Ramon M Lopez, Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry; and Vivencio B Dizon, President and CEO, Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Balancing act: Stability in imports and exports is ensuring the country remains an integrated global player
OBG
plus

Strong macroeconomic expansion, rising consumer incomes and soaring import demand has kept trade volumes in the Philippines on a consistent upwards trajectory over the past decade. However, the country remains in trade deficit, with exports faltering in recent years as a result of external challenges such as low global commodity prices; softening demand in China, Japan and the US; and uncertainty over trade prospects with the EU in light of the Brexit vote. However, rising investment in manufacturing,…

Interview

Opportunities on the way: Ramon M Lopez, Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), on promoting small businesses
OBG
plus

Interview: Ramon M Lopez What kind of government support and intervention could unlock the potential of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)? RAMON M LOPEZ: DTI has been engaged over the years in establishing a number of initiatives aimed to drive the competitiveness of the country’s MSMEs. These were centred on training through programmes like the Roving Academy, a series of seminar-type trainings targeted at MSMEs; and through equipment provision with programmes like Shared Service…

Analysis

Ease and attractiveness: New investment and business reforms are giving the economy a competitive edge
OBG
plus

The Philippines is keen to boost foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in the wake of robust macroeconomic growth, aiming to catch up to its regional neighbours by enacting legal, economic and tax reforms that should see new investment in the country take off. While some of these reforms have been delayed, revisions to the country’s Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL)– which outlines the sectors in which foreign investment is prohibited or restricted – have been more successful.…

Interview

Ecology and economy: Vivencio B Dizon, President and CEO, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), on investing in green urban development in the Philippines
OBG
plus

Interview: Vivencio B Dizon What role will the Clark Green City (CGC) project play in the decentralisation process, and how will it support future growth in the country? VIVENCIO B DIZON: Growing frustration with traffic congestion in Metro Manila, which has had a major impact on the lives of residents, has made decentralisation imperative. The CGC project will play a major role in providing medium- and long-term solutions for the metropolis. Although government can – and will – build more…