Osaka: The Philippine delegation, led by Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, engaged with Japan's largest economic organizations to attract significant investments. "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 stated during the High-Level Courtesy Meeting and Roundtable Discussion with the Kankeiren Executive Committee on Thursday in Osaka, Japan. This meeting underscored the Philippine government's dedication to strengthening partnerships with Japan's top business leaders.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine team included Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, Department of Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, and senior officials from the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The Kansai Economic Federation, led by chairperson Masayoshi Matsumoto, represents approximately 1,300 members, including Japan's leading conglomerates, multinational corporations, and SMEs, spanning sectors such as advanced manufacturing, electronics, energy, infrastructure, finance, and digital innovation.
The Department of Finance reported that during the meeting, Recto praised Japan as one of the Philippines' longest-standing partners in growth, highlighting the country's two 'A-' investment-grade ratings from Japanese credit rating agencies. He reassured Japanese investors of the Philippine government's reforms aimed at making the country a prime destination for foreign investments in Asia, including the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act.
Recto emphasized the Philippines' rapid economic growth and its demographic advantage, with a median age of 25, offering Japan a strategic opportunity for collaboration. "Paired with Japan's median age of 49, together we can form a powerful demographic partnership: your capital and technology, our talent and market," he said.
The delegation is also in Osaka for the Philippines-Japan High-Level Joint Committee Meeting on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation. They aim to review progress on major infrastructure projects funded by Japan and engage with Japanese investors through high-level meetings and the Philippine Economic Briefing to secure further investment in infrastructure projects.
