Members of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) expressed interest to invest in Philippine manufacturing and the supply chain sectors.
The delegation led by OCCI chairman Shingo Torii paid a courtesy call to Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual on Feb. 19, 2024 to broaden the partnership on industrial parts manufacturing, pharmaceutical, medical, glass and consumer electronic products.
“The Philippine government stands ready to provide unwavering support, ensuring the growth of your businesses within our borders and facilitating access to key markets not only domestically but also across the region and the globe,” said Pascual.
Prior to the visit, OCCI signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and launched the ASEAN-Japan Business Promotion Platform in the Philippines.
The business platform will foster economic partnerships with ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, arising from the recognition of the increasing necessity for reciprocal collaboration between ASEAN and Japan in various business domains such as trade, investment and technical cooperation.
The delegation also underscored the importance of prioritizing discussions on the expanding startup sector in the Philippines.
Pascual said noted the significant interest by Japanese firms to invest in the Philippines with the government’s economic policies.
He said these companies are planning to expand their operations and bring in supply chain participants to complete the ecosystem for the manufacturing of Japanese products.
“We are optimistic about the future with our Japanese partners participating in the industrialization process. I’d like to reaffirm the commitment of the government for an inclusive business environment, particularly for foreign investments,” he said.
Trade Undersecretary Ana Carolina Sanchez said the Philippines is looking forward to engaging more small and medium enterprises from Japan.
Established in August 1878, OCCI is one of the three major economic organizations representing the Osaka-Kansai region, with 31,475 member companies, organizations and associations.
