02 October 2014 – The Philippine Embassy in Singapore and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center organized a roundtable discussion on the Private-Public Partnership (PPP) program of the Philippines on September 28 at the Embassy premises.
Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Antonio A. Morales opened the event, which was participated in by PPP Center of the Philippines Executive Director Cosette V. Canilao, Makati Business Club Executive Director Peter Perfecto, and Aboitiz Equity Ventures First Vice President for Business Development Roman V. Azanza III. The meeting was the first leg of the Philippine Infrastructure and PPP Roadshow which was held in Singapore between September 28 and 29.
From the Singaporean side, participants to the roundtable include one of the leading global port groups, PSA International Pte Ltd. and three Singaporean IT companies--Crimsonlogic Pte Ltd, Infotech Global Pte Ltd and Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited. International Enterprise Singapore, the government agency that spearheads the overseas growth of Singapore-based companies, also participated in the meeting.
Executive Director Canilao delivered a presentation on the PPP Center, PPP projects on the pipeline and an overview of the regulatory framework concerning PPPs. She explained that while the PPP projects were mostly infrastructure projects, these projects would also entail a huge information systems component that might be of interest to IT companies in Singapore.
There are, however, two projects that will deal mostly with information systems, namely the Motor Vehicle Inspection System and the Integrated Transport System.
Executive Director Canilao cited the procurement and bidding process and improvements on the legal and regulatory frameworks that are being implemented to ensure a level playing field for investors with reasonable returns of their investment and appropriate sharing of risks without compromising the protection of the interests of the public.
“If you wish to do a background check on the companies that you are considering as potential local partners, we are willing to assist in that respect,” noted Mr. Peter Pefecto of the Makati Business Club.
IE Singapore announced that they will be holding a seminar on the Philippines for Singaporean companies on November 12 and invited Philippine companies to participate in the seminar.
Executive Director Canilao invited the Singaporean companies to visit their website for further information and to e-mail her should the companies have questions.
“There is a rules-based system in place in the Philippines. As long as you follow the rules, then there is an opportunity for everyone.” she added. END