MANILA, Philippines — Corruption, barriers to ownership, and infrastructure gaps have topped the list of challenges facing Australian firms operating in the Philippines, a new study showed.

Results of the Australian Business in ASEAN Survey 2017 showed that 52 percent of the respondents cited corruption as the foremost concern among Australian firms doing business in the Philippines.

Results of the Australian Business in ASEAN Survey 2017 showed that 52 percent of the respondents cited corruption as the foremost concern among Australian firms doing business in the Philippines.

Barriers to ownership and investment were the second major concern (38 percent) followed by infrastructure gaps (31 percent).

Other notable challenges in the country cited by Australian companies are political instability (24 percent), taxation (24 percent), and cost of operations (21 percent).

The Australian business community in the Philippines is composed mostly of services firms, followed by manufacturing and industrial companies, the report said.

Despite these challenges, the Philippines ranked as the third most preferred destination for expansion in Southeast Asia among Australian companies.

The Philippines was tied at third position with Indonesia, with expansion rates of 15 percent each.

Vietnam emerged as the region’s most popular market for expansion at 22 percent, followed by Myanmar. Brunei was the least attractive market for Australian firms.

Top growth drivers for the Philippines are its economic conditions (72 percent), proximity to customers (59 percent), and ease of doing business (45 percent).

“Philippine trade with Australia has increased significantly over recent years while there has also been growing Australian investor interest on the Philippines. Areas such as agribusiness, information technology, education, training and development, infrastructure, energy and mining are some of the sectors being targeted,” the report said.

“The Philippine government has been active in pursuing economic reforms as well as programs to attack corruption in order to encourage more foreign investments. Further expansion of trade and investment links will continue with enhanced cooperation in defense and law enforcement,” it added.

As of 2015, total stock of Australian investment in the Philippines was A$10 billion, while total stock of Philippine investment in Australia was valued at A$473 million.

Bilateral merchandise trade between Philippines and Australia has expanded to A$2.5 billion in 2016, while services trade have also grown to A$1.5 billion.

In line with Australia’s bullish prospects on the growth of the countries within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, an Australia-ASEAN Chamber of Commerce was launched officially in Manila.

Source: philstar.com

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SUBIC BAY FREE­PORT, Philippines — Naghahanda na ang Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) para sa engrandeng pagdiriwang ng silver anniversary sa Nobyembre 2017.

Atty. Wilma T. Eisma

Ayon kay SBMA Admi­nistrator at CEO Atty. Wilma T. Eisma, inaprobahan ng mga opisyal ng ahensiya ang mga aktibidad na gagawin sa pagdiriwang ng 25th taon ng pagkakatatag ng Subic Bay Freeport Zone na kinukunsiderang isa sa mga success stories ng military base conversion sa mundo.

Napakahalagang milestone ng Subic Freeport ang 25th founding anniversary kaya kailangang maging espesyal din ang mga aktibidad ng SBMA,” pahayag ni Atty. Eisma na isa rin sa mga orihinal na volunteer na tumulong upang maprotektahan at mapangalagaan ang mga pasilidad ng Subic Bay matapos lisanin ng U.S. Navy ang Subic Bay noong 1992.

“Malayo na ang narating ng Subic, salamat sa sakri­pisyo at pagpupursigi ng napakaraming mamamayan sa loob ng maraming taon at ang parangal para sa kanila ay isa sa malaking bahagi ng selebrasyong ito,” dagdag pa ni Eisma.

PAGBABALIK-TANAW

“SBMA at 25” Celebra­ting the Past, Forging the Nation’s Future,” ang magiging tema ng selebrasyo.

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Magsisimula ang selebrasyon sa Nobyembre 6 sa flag-raising ceremony sa makasaysayang Bldg. 229, ang main office ng SBMA, na susundan ng motorcade sa Central Business District ng Freeport habang may mga eroplanong nagsasagawa naman ng streamer at confetti drops sa himpapawid, at water cannon salutes naman sa mga barko sa Subic Bay.

Magsasagawa rin ang SBMA Labor Department ng job fair sa pakikipagtulungan ng mga business locators ng Subic Bay Freeport.

Iba pang mga aktibidad para sa kabuuan ng buwan ng Nobyembre ay SBMA Family Day at “SBMA Got Talent” sa Nobyembre 18 na magtatapos sa pagbubukas ng giant Christmas Tree sa Boardwalk Park.

Samantala, magkakaroon din ng tatlong-araw na “Subic Bay Grand Sale” sa Remy Field at sa mga tou­rism establishments simula Nobyembre 24 hanggang 26.

Ito ay susundan ng isang awarding ceremony bilang pagkilala sa mga pioneer investor companies at mga pioneer SBMA employees.

Isang float at foot parade naman na lalahukan ng mga representante mula sa local government units ang gaganapin sa Waterfront Road.

Source: philstar.com
Image source: sbma.com

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Expanding business opportunities in Northern Luzon, the Philippines’ emerging trade, investment and logistics hub, is the focus of the Northern Luzon Investors’ Conference on September 14, 2017 at the Rizal Ballroom, Makati Shangri-La.

Expanding business opportunities in Northern Luzon, the Philippines’ emerging trade, investment and logistics hub, is the focus of the Northern Luzon Investors’ Conference

With the theme “Promoting Trade and Reducing Business Costs”, the whole-day conference and networking event will provide updates on infrastructure development projects and trade and customs facilitation efforts being undertaken in the region.

Private and public sector experts will discuss the region’s impressive economic growth that has opened up opportunities for businesses.

Conference speakers include Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade (Build, Build, Build in Clark and Subic: Ushering In the Golden Age of Infrastructure); National Economic and Development Authority Undersecretary Adora Navarro (Economic Briefing: Northern Luzon’s Contribution to the National Economy and Prospects Ahead); Bases Conversion and Development Authority president Vince Dizon (The Promise of Clark Green City), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority administrator Atty Wilma Eisma (Simpler, Business-Friendly Rules: Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s Regulatory Environment); Clark International Airport Corp Asisistant Vice President for Strategic Development and Corporate Management Darwin Cunanan; Subic Bay International Terminal Corp President Roberto Locsin (Subic Port: Facilitating Trade for Northern Luzon Shippers); and Asia Customs & Trade Chairman Atty Agaton Teodoro Uvero (Investment Opportunities and Trade Benefits in Freeports).

The conference is being organized by PortCalls, the Philippines’ only shipping and transport guide, and Asia Customs & Trade, an online portal on customs and trade developments affecting global trade and customs compliance in Asia, and supported by Subic Bay International Terminal Corp and Worldtrade Consultants, Inc. Media partner is Subic Bay News.

For information on the event, email info@portcalls.com or events@portcalls.com, or call 551-1775, 551-3871 or 552-7072. Click here for program, conference registration, and sponsorship

Source: subicbaynews.net/

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Muli na namang kinatigan ng Office of The Ombudsman si former Olongapo City Mayor James Bong Gordon makaraang ibasura nito ang kasong katiwalian na isinampa ng kasalukuyang City Administrator ng Olongapo laban sa dating punong lungsod Enero taong 2016.

Ulat ni Lolito Go

Sa anim na pahinang desisyong inilathala ng tanggapan ng Ombudsman, iginiit nitong walang sapat na basehan upang sampahan si Gordon ng kasong paglabag sa Sec. 3 ng RA 3019 o ang Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act kaugnay ng utang sa kuryente na diumano’y napabayaan nito sa ilalim ng kanyang termino.

Matatandaang sinisisi noon si Gordon ng mga katunggali sa pulitika dahil sa paglobo ng utang sa kuryente ng PUD-Olongapo sa PSALM o Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. at sa kabiguan umano nitong mabayaran ang nasabing obligasyon.

Kinatigan din ng Ombudsman ang mga paliwanag ni Gordon ukol sa P5B utang sa kuryente. Sa paliwanag ni Gordon, ang utang sa kuryente ay sanhi ng systems loss, lumang pasilidad at palpak na records system ng PUD. Bukod pa rito ang hindi mahusay na koleksyon ng at ang 18% compounded interest na ipinapataw ng PSALM sa utang ng PUD kada buwan.

Ang mga ito ayon sa OMBUDSMAN ay hindi maaaring isisi sa dating alkalde ng Olongapo. Naniniwala rin ang OMBUDSMAN na walang maling hakbang si Gordon na naging sanhi ng paglaki ng naturang utang sa kuryente.

Sa mensaheng ipinadala ni Gordon sa SBC news malaki aniya ang kanyang pasasalamat sapagkat unti-unti nang lumulutang ang katotohanan tungkol sa mga mapanirang bintang sa kaniya ng mga kalaban sa pulitika.

Source: Subic Broadcasting Corporation @ Facebook
Image source: inquirer.net

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The country’s emerging farm tourism sector gets another major push as a driver of inclusive economic growth at the 5th Farm Tourism Conference and Festival set at the Grand Xing Imperial Hotel in Iloilo City, Oct. 2-4.

SEAFDEC in Tigbauan

Themed “Improving Farm Tourism through Enrichment of Local Products and Culture,” the gathering will be attended by farmer-entrepreneurs, local government executives, tourism and agricultural officers, and community stakeholders. The event is organized by the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST), the Department of Tourism (DOT) the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), Province of Iloilo, City of Iloilo, and the Department of Agriculture.

According to ISST president and event director Mina Gabor, the Conference will focus on the unique fusion of farming and tourism that will empower local communities, provide diversified income for farmers, and encourage sustainable practices for food security. “Farm Tourism attracts visitors and travelers to farm areas, generally for educational and recreational purposes that encourage economic activity to provide farm and community income. It is one of the country’s sunshine industries which can be developed because of the agricultural nature of the economy,” she said.

There will also a Farmers’ Market where fresh and locally-grown agricultural produce will be on sale.

Delivering the keynote addresses are guests of honor Tourism Undersecretary Silvino Tejada and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Undersecretary Eduardo Gongona. Tejada heads DoT’s newly-created Ecotourism, Farm Tourism and Faith Tourism Advocacy portfolio which puts emphasis on the new industry sectors.

Major topics in the confab include climate change and agriculture by International Institute of Rural Reconstruction country director Emilyn Monville Oro, preserving natural and cultural heritage by Lucia Catanes of the Winaca Eco-Cultural Village, opportunities in farm tourism by Damires Hills Tierra Verde manager Paolo Lorenzo Tirador, marketing and trading by Jonathan Canuto of the Ephrathah Farmers Union, product innovation by “Dragonfruit Lady” Edith Dacuycuy, and food security by Food and Agriculture Organization Philippine Representative Jose Luis Fernandez.

Ephrathah Farm Resort in Badiangan

Other themes are urban farm technology by SIBAT deputy director Shen Maglinte, Perfect Go-To Mushroom by Perfect Mushroom founder John Regie Jimanal, and Instant Grow Kits by MNL Growkits CEO Arsenio Sumaoang. Moreover, Pandurag Taware, India’s father of agri-tourism, and Jemy See, managing director of Taiwan’s Global Travel Management and Consultancy, will share best practices in farm tourism in their countries.

Gabor said that this year’s conference will put the spotlight on coffee, the world’s second most traded commodity. Topics include the 7 Steps in coffee planting by Philippine Coffee Board Director Dr. Andy Mojica, coffee cloning and demonstration by Albert Tabanggay of Pavia Orchard Valley, coffee roasting by La Roasteria proprietor Bodi Mijares, and coffee trade by Biscocho Haus owner Genevieve Bionat.

There will also be talks on the Sulu Royal Coffee by Kumalah Elardo and Coffee Bag by Steep Coffee Bags CEO Justin Bereber.

The three-day event will also visit successful establishments in Iloilo such as Damires Hills, Midway Hills, Ephrathah Farm Resort, Garin Farm, the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), the Regional Agro-Industrial Center and the Rice Granary Center.

The 5th Farm Tourism Conference and Festival is supported by Petron Corp., Philippine Airlines, Land Bank of the Philippines, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), Automobile Association of the Philippines, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Central Philippine University, John B. Lacson Maritime University, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

For details, contact ISST at (02) 832-0996, mobile 0905-4049086, email courses.isstphilippines@gmail.com or follow them on Facebook ISST Philippines.

Source: choosephilippines.com

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