Business
D
Japan’s medical device
manufacturer eyes
expansion, to offer more
technical training programs
for Filipino engineers
DTI chief briefs Japanese
execs on PH econ reforms
Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez
epartment of Trade
and Industry (DTI)
Secretary Ramon
Lopez kickstarted the
agency’s business
mission to Japan
on 11 March 2019
with a dialogue with
Terumo (Philippines)
Corporation President
Toshiyuki Akihata.
The Secretary also discussed expansion plans and
training opportunities for Filipino engineers.
Terumo conveyed their plans of developing
new products that would be manufactured in the
Philippines (PH) and would cater to both domestic
and export markets. The company-- which has
facilities at the Laguna Technopark, in Biñan
and engages in manufacturing, selling, and exporting medical devices such as
disposable syringe, needles, IV catheter and urinary drainage bag worldwide
-- also plans to increase the IV catheter production capacity and transfer its
operations from Japan to PH.
Sec. Lopez assured the company executives that PH welcomes investors and
foreign businesses that wish to expand their operations in the country and to
provide jobs to Filipinos.
“DTI and the Philippine government will be ready for any assistance and
support Terumo needs in their expansion and ensure continuity of their business
in the country,” said Sec. Lopez.
The discussion also covered government interventions and support in easing
the process of sending Filipino workers to Japan for technical trainings.
“We have a large pool of talent and skilled workers in the Philippines. Providing
technical trainings for our Filipino engineers promotes competitiveness and will
mutual benefit the company and its employees. In fact, we encourage educational
institutions to align their modules and teachings to the need of the companies so
our young people will be equipped once they join the workforce,” the trade chief
added.
Mr. Akihata expressed his appreciation for Filipino workers and described them
as “open-minded”. The company executive revealed that out of 3,000 employees
in their facility in Laguna, only 12 are Japanese and the rest are Filipino engineers
and associates. Currently, 15 of their Filipino engineers are in Japan for training.
Meanwhile, the trade chief also discussed key features and highlights of the
Tax Reform for Attracting Better and Higher Quality Opportunities (TRABAHO)
Bill with the Japanese executives. He emphasized that the tax reform offers
more competitive, performance-based, and time-bound incentive packages and
underscored that every new project will be treated as new investment. He also
assured that the government shall ensure a smoother transition period.
Terumo Philippines executives, including an official from their head office in
Japan, expressed their appreciation to DTI and the Board of Investments (BOI)
for providing comprehensive information on the tax reform as well as actively
engaging with investors.
Present during the meeting were DTI Undersecretary Rowel Barba, Philippine
Trade and Investment Center (PTIC)-Tokyo Commercial Counsellor Ma. Bernardita
Mathay, Terumo Corporation Production Department Adviser Akihiko Umeda, and
Terumo Philippines Director Takanori Takeuchi. www.dti.gov.ph
66
Japanese firms to
expand operations in PH
T
he Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) together with
the Philippine Trade and
Investment Center (PTIC) in
Tokyo organized a business
forum on 12 March 2019 with
high level representatives of
select Japanese companies to
discuss expansion intentions
as well as ongoing economic
reforms in the Philippines (PH).
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez led
the discussion and highlighted PH’s top trade products,
investment performance, and industry growth drivers.
“The Philippines has good sources of growth. It’s now investment-led and focuses more
on capital formation and government expenditure. This is really the best time to join our
country’s growth story,” Sec. Lopez told the business executives who attended the forum.
The trade chief took the opportunity to share key features of several economic reforms
of the Duterte administration. His discussion covered the Tax Reform for Attracting Better
and Higher Quality Opportunities (TRABAHO) Bill, amending the Retail Trade Liberalization
law, the Foreign Investment Negative List, the amendments in the Corporation Code, and
the ongoing negotiation to improve the PH-Japan Free Trade Agreement.
He further said that DTI-- together with the Board of Investments (BOI)-- is committed to
meeting with investors, providing them with accurate information on the ongoing reforms
of the government, and encouraging them to locate and expand their businesses in the
country. This would provide more jobs and opportunities for Filipinos, he added.
Sumitomo Corporation’s Ryota Yoshimura conveyed the expansion plans of First
Philippine Industrial Park as it sees an increase in demand from the industrial park tenants.
Itochu Corporation General Manager Jumpei Kakinuma inquired on the ongoing
negotiations in the tariff rates of banana and other PH agricultural products entering
the Japanese market. Sec. Lopez provided updates on DTI-initiated talks on tariff on
bananas, which will be taken up during the discussion on the Philippines-Japan Economic
Partnership Agreement (PJEPA). The company operates Dole Food Company which exports
PH bananas to Japan. He also expressed their company’s interest in PH’s infrastructure
industry.
NIDEC Corporation First Vice President Go Watanabe conveyed their company’s interest
to establish an Automation Team in PH that will be in charge in the mass production of
devices for robots.
Meanwhile, DTI Undersecretary Rowel Barba provided updates on the ongoing reforms
to address issues of companies in ports and shipping cost. He assured them that the
government is working on sustainable solutions to facilitate ease in doing business in the
country.
Isetan Mitsukoshi Senior Managing Executive Officer Takuya Matsuo expressed
optimism in the growing domestic market in PH and said they are eyeing expansion in
the country. Mr. Matsuo said that they plan to open a Japanese retail concept mall in PH.
Sec. Lopez said this plan will be beneficial for Filipino and Japanese small and medium
enterprises.
Nomura Managing Executive Officer Masaomi Katayama expressed their interest in
expanding the company’s real estate development operations in PH. Nomura is partnering
with Isetan Mitsukoshi that will build Mitsukoshi malls in the country. According to Mr.
Katayama, they are currently looking for possible sites in Cebu or Davao that will offer
1,400 housing units as well as 30,000 retail spaces.
Tescom Denki Chief Executive Officer Toshiya Kasuno acknowledged the labor force
quality as well as the growing market for beauty care products in PH. The company
executive conveyed their plan to establish a manufacturing facility for beauty care
products and appliances.
www.dti.gov.ph