The first meeting of Sub-Committee on the Improvement of the Business Environment under the Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) was held on June 15, 2009, at the Department of Trade and Industry in Makati City, the Philippines.
Secretary Peter B. Favila of Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippines, and Ambassador Makoto Katsura of Japan chaired the meeting.
Participants of the meeting included representatives of various departments and agencies of the Philippine Government, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), as well as representatives from business circles, including Mr. Yasuhiko Arimitsu, President of Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, Inc. and Amb. Donald G. Dee, Chairman Emeritus of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
During the meeting, a number of issues were raised, including those related to infrastructure, border measures as well as operation of the treaty itself.
Amid the current global economic crisis, it was hoped that such efforts would lead to the real improvement of business environment and thus to the enhanced business interactions between the two countries, including the facilitation for future investments.
In order to further deepen the works on the issues and to find ways for solutions, it was agreed to convene Consultative Groups, which were also established under JPEPA, in early July.
The JPEPA entered into force on December 11, 2008. Sub-Committee on Improving Business Environment is considered as one of the most important pillars in the treaty to foster enhanced economic interactions between Japan and the Philippines.
