The Philippine delegation led by Finance Secretary Ralph Recto met with Japan’s largest economic organizations in Osaka on Thursday to secure more investments and deepen economic ties.
“In the Philippines, you are in the right place, at the right time, with the right partners, and the right opportunities to win big,” Recto told Japanese business leaders during a high-level courtesy meeting and roundtable discussion with the Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren).
The Philippine team included Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, and senior officials from the Budget, Public Works, Transportation departments, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Kankeiren, chaired by Masayoshi Matsumoto, represents about 1,300 members, including Japan’s biggest conglomerates, multinational corporations, and SMEs in advanced manufacturing, electronics, energy, infrastructure, finance, and digital innovation.
Recto lauded Japan as one of the Philippines’ strongest partners, citing its two “A-” investment-grade ratings from Japanese credit agencies as a mark of confidence in the country’s fiscal management and growth trajectory.
He assured investors that reforms such as the CREATE MORE Act are making the Philippines one of Asia’s most competitive investment destinations, offering generous fiscal incentives and VAT exemptions for export-oriented firms.
Highlighting the Philippines’ young workforce with a median age of 25, Recto pitched a “demographic partnership” with Japan, whose median age is 49. “Your capital and technology, our talent and market,” he said.
The Philippine delegation is in Osaka for the Philippines-Japan High-Level Joint Committee Meeting on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation with Japanese officials led by Dr. Mori Masafumi, special adviser to the Prime Minister.
They will also hold one-on-one meetings with top Japanese investors and present at the Philippine Economic Briefing to secure financing for infrastructure projects and attract more investments.
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