Philippines and Japanese governments will hold an "Industrial Cooperation Dialogue” today to boost Japan’s move to make the Philippines its manufacturing hub in the region.
Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Rodolfo Severino told reporters that the dialogue aims to advance the existing cooperation between the two countries in three areas.
Foremost is the goal to make the Philippines an investment destination for Japan Industrial Foreign Direct Investments, human development, and to enhance competitiveness of small and medium enterprises.
DTI Undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. will spearhead the Philippine side while the Japanese side will be led by Toshiyuki Sakamoto, Deputy Director-General for Trade Policy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Kazumi Nishikawa, Executive Director, JETRO Singapore and Special Advisor to the Minister of METI.
Companies attending the dialogue include Toyota Motors Philippines, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp., Philippine Automotive Federation Inc., IDE-JETRO, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (REITI), and National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) of Japan.
There will also be representatives from various Philippine government agencies, including the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Finance, Development Academy of the Philippines, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Science and Technology, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Automotive-Technical Working Group, Senate, and Congress.//
