3 November 2014 - Dr. Lilia B. De Lima, Director General of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), delivered a presentation on October 29, entitled, “The Philippines:  Your Business Partner in Asia, Opportunities for Swiss Investors in Philippine Economic Zones” at a seminar at the Zunfthaus zur Waag in Zurich, Switzerland.  The seminar was a joint project of the Philippine Embassy in Berne, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Geneva (PTIC), and the Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce (SACC).
Speaking before an audience of Swiss businessmen, Filipino-Swiss entrepreneurs and members of the SACC, Dr. De Lima promoted the Philippines as the best business partner in Asia with its advantages of the ready human resources and high-skilled Filipino workers, business incentives, overall good governance, and the country’s wealth of natural resources, including its tourist attractions.

Dr. De Lima elaborated on the competitive incentives in PEZA zones, the “best in the world” Filipino workers, and the “no-corruption, no red-tape – only red-carpet” culture in these zones. These PEZA “attractions” greatly impressed the participants and encouraged them help promote the Philippines, if not consider closer business engagement with the Philippines. 

In his welcome remarks during the seminar, Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland Leslie J. Baja highlighted the expansion of economic relations between the Philippines and Switzerland, and President Aquino’s platform of good and effective governance which has created an environment that is conducive to doing business in the country.

Ambassador Baja cited the Philippine economy’s growth of 7.2% in 2013, the fastest in Asia after China, despite a string of natural disasters including the world's deadliest typhoon.  He said the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report also stated that the Philippines is the “most improved country overall” since 2010, during the start of President Aquino’s government. 

Swiss investor Mr. Christoph Krauer, Managing Director and CEO of ERNI Development Center Philippines Inc., also gave a testimonial on the company’s experience with PEZA to further convince the participants to consider business operations in the Philippines.

PEZA is the country’s favorite investment destination because of its generous tax incentives and efficient processes. It hopes to entice more foreign investors to invest primarily in the Philippine’ IT and manufacturing industries including the power and renewable energy sector to help reduce the costs of electricity in the country.

Dr. De Lima was in Switzerland for PEZA’s European Investment Roadshow which is set to cover several countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Luxemborg, France, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The Philippine Embassy in Berne closely coordinates with the PTIC and SACC in promoting the Philippines as an investment destination.  END