Aussies keen on boosting PH business ties; eye mining, BPO sectors

THE AUSTRALIAN government has committed to further strengthen its business linkages with the Philippines, especially by way of projects included in the public-private partnership program list and those in the mining and business process outsourcing sectors.

According to the joint ministerial statement released at the close of the 3rd Philippines-Australia Ministerial Meeting last Thursday, the secretaries and ministers from the two countries “agreed on the potential of PPPs for further deepening commercial linkages between the two countries, given the strengths of Australian infrastructure-related companies.”

The PPP program, the Aquino administration’s flagship project, aims to stimulate infrastructure build-out by getting private companies involved in the process. Projects lined up for the program include those in crucial areas of development, including rail, seaports, airports, roads and bridges.

The first deals to be auctioned off to the private sector are the operations and maintenance contracts for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3.

Key growth areas

Apart from PPP projects, the two governments also recognized the potential of the mining sector as another key area of growth and cooperation.

The Philippines currently plays host to a number of Australian mining firms, all of which have plunked in millions of dollars into their respective projects.

“The secretaries and ministers agreed on the potential of the mining sector to generate significant economic and development benefits for the Philippines, as it had for Australia. They welcomed the increasing Australian investment in the Philippine mining sector and noted that Australian expertise in sustainable mining practices and mining technology services could assist the development of responsible mining in the Philippines,” the joint statement read.

In line with their thrust to boost cooperation in the mining sector, it was agreed that Australia would host the 2nd Joint Working Group on Mining in the second semester, with a high-level delegation from the Philippine mining sector to participate in the event.

Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo also made a big push for the information technology and BPO sectors.

Citing estimates made by the Business Processing Association of the Philippines, he said the share of Australian firms in the local BPO pie had increased to 6 percent in 2010 from only 1.5 percent in 2008.

The other industries that he highlighted during the ministerial meeting were electronics, shipbuilding, engineering design, and construction.

In the area of education, Australia recognized the rise in the number of Filipinos enrolled in Australian schools, opening opportunities for more links and other partnerships between Philippine and Australian institutions.