Swiss Businesses Learn About Trade and Investment Opportunities in the Philippines

Mr. Abrea briefing members of the Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce on recent developments in  the Philippines, including issues relevant to the private sector, such as tax policies and matters on  the ease of doing business. 

BERN 29 May 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Switzerland, with the cooperation of the Swiss-Asian Chamber of  Commerce (SACC) and PH tax consultancy firm Asian Consulting Group (ACG), held  an Investment and Tax Briefing on 27 May 2024 in the Swiss business capital of  Zürich. 

Philippine Ambassador Bernard Faustino M. Dy welcomed representatives from the Swiss  business community to the event, echoing what President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.  had said in his keynote speech at the 6th Indo-Pacific Business Forum on 21 May  2024 in Manila that “we aspire to transform the Philippine economy into a regional hub  for smart and sustainable manufacturing and services.” He continued that “the  Philippines is open for business” especially given its young and vibrant work force and  impressive GDP growth in recent years.  

The Ambassador thanked SACC Chairman and PH Honorary Consul in Zürich, Mr.  Urs Lustenberger for the support of his team in organizing the event.  

Mr. Raymond H. Batac, PH Commercial Counsellor based in the Philippines Trade  and Investment Center in Geneva (PTIC-Geneva), gave a briefing on Philippine economy,  as well as the country’s economic agreements and engagements in the Asia-Pacific  and Europe.  

Mr. Raymond M. Abrea, ACG Founding Chairman and Chief Tax Advisor, gave the  briefing on the recent policy reforms put in place to facilitate doing business in the  Philippines. The Philippine government is actively addressing the issues of red tape which  would hopefully “roll out the red carpet” for Swiss and other companies from overseas  to invest in the country. The event also saw the launch in Switzerland of Mr. Abrea’s  book entitled “Why Invest in the Philippines.” 

Following the briefing, the Embassy, PTIC-Geneva, and ACG held a Q and A,  engaging in frank discussions with the Swiss participants on the recent policy reforms, as  well as issues on taxation, land/business ownership, incentives, infrastructure, and  bureaucratic procedures.  

The event is part of ACG’s International Tax and Investment Roadshow in Europe this  May, which includes Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, France, the United Kingdom,  and Switzerland. END

The Philippine Embassy in Berne, in cooperation with the Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce and  PH tax consultancy firm Asian Consulting Group and the support of the Philippine Trade and  Investment Center in Geneva, organized an Investment and Tax Briefing on 27 May 2024 in Zürich  for Swiss businesses interested in doing businesses or already present in the Philippines. 

PH Ambassador to Switzerland Bernard Faustino M. Dy (rightmost) with ACG Founding Chairman  and Chief Tax Advisor, Mr. Raymond M. Abrea (center), and Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce  Chair and PH Honorary Consul in Zürich, Dr. Urs Lustenberger. 

For more information, visit www.bernepe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSwitzerland.