17 February 2012- The Philippine Embassy in Wellington reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez and Minister Marcos Punsalang met with representatives of New Zealand's Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) last January 23 to discuss economic prospects both in the Philippines and New Zealand.
Among those present in the meeting were Chief Executive Officer Kim Campbell, Export NZ-Auckland (a Division of EMA) Executive Officer Catherine Mullane, Advocacy Services, Manufacturers & Trade Group Services Division Manager Bruce Goldsworthy, Advocacy Issues Executive Officer Garth Wylie, and Communications Manager Gilbert Peterson.
The EMA is the premiere business organization in New Zealand's North Island has helped shaped the country's business environment.
With its 5,500 members, EMA is active in providing professional advice, education and training, advocacy, networking opportunities, benefits and discounts and information to the public through news bulletins, briefings and publications.
Mr. Campbell saw good business opportunities in the US$11 billion Philippine information technology/business process outsourcing (IT/BPO) industry, as shown by the successful operations of New Zealand companies at the Bonifacio Global City.
He also acknowledged the two countries' improving economic partnership in the context of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA).
The industry is diversifying towards higher value services such as knowledge processing outsourcing (KPO), IT/Software design, payroll and accounting, medical and legal transcription and game development, among others.
Ambassador Benavidez cited New Zealand's good research and development (R&D) programs and software applications which she said would greatly complement the Philippines' own comparative advantages, particularly its cost effectiveness, highly skilled manpower, and its access to the global market
Also discussed were opportunities in the manufacturing sector as well as efforts to promote trade and transport linkages between the two countries.
EMA expressed interest in the forthcoming visit of Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Lilia De Lima to New Zealand this year and signified its intention to hold talks with the PEZA chief.
Board of Investment (BOI) materials entitled "Your Window to Infinite Investment Opportunities in the Philippines", a BOI audio-visual presentation CD entitled "Invest in the Philippines", and a Department of Trade and Industry CD entitled "Trade Associations Directory: 2010-2011" were distributed to the EMA officers.
Articles on Philippine economic growth, success stories of partnerships and cooperation, positive credit ratings and upgrades and other important developments will be sent regularly to heighten the awareness of New Zealand about the Philippines as an attractive tourist, trade and investment destination to be featured in EMA's "Business Plus" magazine and other publications. END