Japan firms eye PH as regional manufacturing hub

MANILA, Philippines–Japanese companies are looking to make the Philippines their manufacturing hub in the Asean given the continued robust performance of the Philippine economy, the Department of Trade and Industry said Friday.

Trade Assistant Secretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo told reporters that the Industrial Cooperation Dialogue between the Philippines and Japan, which is being held Monday, is meant to “advance the existing cooperation” and further boost trade and investment ties between the two countries.

The meeting will look into how the Philippines can be a further viable destination for industrial foreign investments by Japanese firms, for human development, and for enhancing competitiveness of the small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

High-level trade officials are also expected to discuss how the two countries could “synchronize” their respective policies to realize that vision of establishing a manufacturing hub in the country.

According to Rodolfo, the Japanese delegation is being led by Toshiyuki Sakamoto, deputy director general for trade policy at the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Meti). Also part of the delegation, which would comprise mostly the small and medium enterprises in Japan, is Kazumi Nishikawa, special adviser to the minister at Meti and executive director at the Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro) Singapore.

“Representatives from Toyota Japan are also expected to be at the dialogue to share their experiences as to what is really happening in the global automotive industry and how the Philippines can position itself as a development hub in Asean. There is a huge interest in the country right now,” Rodolfo added.

The dialogue will be attended by representatives from state-run agencies such as the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Finance, Development Academy of the Philippines, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Science and Technology, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and both houses of Congress.

Also attending the meeting are officials of the Philippine Automotive Federation Inc., Toyota Motor Philippines Co., Mitsubishi Motors Philippines, as well as IDE-Jetro, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies from Japan. >