PH-RUSSIA ECONOMIC TIES PALALAKASIN

PINAGSAMA-SAMA ng Board of Investments (BOI) ang mga kinatawan mula sa Russian at Philippine private sector upang talakayin ang lumalagong trade relations at isulong ang mutually beneficial partnerships sa Philippine-Russia Business Forum sa Makati noong October 4, 2023.

Ang event ay tinampukan ng serye ng presentations mula sa Russian at Filipino officials na ibinida ang investment climate, economic prospects, at collaborative opportunities sa pagitan ng dalawang bansa, kung saan ang Russia ang trading partner ng Pilipinas sa paghahanap ng mga oportunidad para sa sourcing at pag-export ng key products at services.

Ang forum na pinangunahan ni Trade Undersecretary at BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo ay idinaos sa sidelines ng 3rd Philippines-Russian Federation (RF) Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation (JCTEC).

Sinamahan siya nina Russian Federation Ministry of Industry and Trade Deputy Minister Alexey Gruzdev at Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of the Philippines Marat Pavlov.

Sa kanyang welcome remarks, tinalakay ni Usec. Rodolfo ang comprehensive overview ng Philippine macroeconomic landscape, binigyang-diin ang masiglang economic growth at foreign direct investments.

“The Philippines is positioned as the regional hub in Southeast Asia for smart and sustainable manufacturing and services, using market-based tools that empower the private sectors.

That goal is attainable through our country’s foremost and strongest advantage which is the Filipino workforce.

Russian investors stand to gain in invest- ing in the Philippines with Filipinos as the backbone of its operations,” aniya.

Idinagdag niya na inilatag ng Pilipinas ang maraming investment opportunities, kabilang ang mineral processing, electric vehicle manufacturing, infrastructure development, at pharmaceuticals. Ang patuloy na pagsisikap ng bansa na i-liberalize ang business environment nito, na nagpahintulot sa hanggang 100% foreign ownership ay nagpakita rin sa dedikasyon ng Philippine government na makaakit ng foreign investment.

Sa kanyang panig, tiniyak ni Deputy Minister Gruzdev ang commitment ng Russia sa international obligations at sa layunin nitong matugunan ang demand habang nagsusuplay ng mga produkto at serbisyo sa partners.

Binigyang-diin din niya ang pananaw ng Russia sa kalakalan bilang two-way collaboration, “recognizing that it is not only about delivering goods but also purchasing them from partner countries.”

Kinabibilangan ito ng pagbabahagi ng kadalubhasaan, karanasan at kaalaman, nag-aalok ng specialized training, after-sales support, maintenance services, at pagtatayo ng service centers.

Binigyang-diin din ng Russian Deputy Minister ang kahalagahan ng Pilipinas bilang priority partner para sa Russian government, nkung saan umaasa siyang matagumpay na matutugunan ng JCTEC discussions ang mga isyu na krusyal sa business collaboration.

Ang Philippines-Russia Business Forum ay dinaluhan ng mahigit 160 miyembro ng Russian at Philippine business delegations na kumakatawan sa iba’t ibang sektor tulad ng agriculture, transport, logistics, chemicals, mining, pharma, tourism, steel and metal, energy, at IT solutions.