UK SUPPLY CHAIN IN MACTAN – CEBU INTL AIRPORT

UK SUPPLY CHAIN IN MACTAN – CEBU INTL AIRPORT

Cebu - Mactan Airport
UK supply chain - airport

UK companies have been successful in the completion of the upgraded MACTAN – CEBU International Airport. The UK has a long track record in the building and fitting out of Airports of all sizes.

Cebu Mactan international airport

Technical innovation is the order of the day with these global UK companies.

Mott Macdonald Technical Advisory Services

ARUP Airport Planning & Engineering Design

Pinsent Masons Legal Services

SSP F& B Operator/Food Hub Curator

GATIC Slotted Drain Covers on Runway

Abacus Leaders in Lighting Airfield Lights

ZOEFTIG Airport Terminal Seating

RL3 Hold Baggage Security Screening

MACDONALD HUMFREY AUTOMATIONAutomated Baggage Screening

BIRAL Meteorological Sensors – Lightning Storm Detection System

The country’s friendliest resort airport, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, was recently recognized by two international awards-giving bodies in architecture for the design of Terminal 2, its international terminal. Terminal 2 was designed by renowned architectural firm Integrated Design Associates Hong Kong. Terminal 2 opened in July last year.

“MCIA continues to be recognized globally not only because it embodies our positioning as a Filipino resort airport, but also because its design and quality of engineering allows us to deliver world-class service and operations,” said Louie Ferrer, President GMR MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC), the airport’s private developer.

Last year, MCIA received three awards, one of which was Asia Pacific Medium Airport of the Year during the CAPA Aviation Awards for Excellence ceremony, one of the most respected awards in the airport and aviation industry

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Ease of Doing Business and Innovative Startup Act

Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Service Delivery Act of 2018

  • Republic Act 11032 (also referred to as Ease of Doing Business or EODB Law) is part of the continuing effort of the PH government to eliminate red tape and improve the environment for doing business in the PH.  You may recall that Item Number 3 in the President’s 10-point Socioeconomic Agenda is to “Increase competitiveness and the ease of doing business.”  The particular focus of the law is on the accountability and integrity of government service, specifically, ensuring greater efficiency in the delivery of services and preventing graft and corruption. 
  • The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the EODB Act were signed on 17 July 2019 by the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, the Director-General of the Anti-Red Tape Authority and the Secretary of Trade and Industry.
  • Businessmen will be pleased to note that the basics such as number of steps, signatories and documents to complete procedures will be addressed, as well as compliance and transaction costs.  For instance, prescribed processing times will be 3 days for simple transactions, 7 days for more complex transactions and 20 days for highly technical transactions.  Failure of agencies to meet such timelines will mean automatic approval of the transaction.  Automation and electronic versions of licenses, permits, certifications and authorizations will be adopted to the extent possible, under the coordination of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).  Equally important is the directive to make clear and transparent all of this information.
  • Whole-of-Government approach in reengineering government services will be adopted to ensure uniform service standards and harmonization of existing and applicable laws and consistent legal interpretations across all agencies.  The end objective is seamless end-to-end processing in the delivery of government services.
  • The monitoring and evaluation of the compliance of all government agencies shall be the responsibility of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), which is under the Office of the President.
  • The Ease of Doing Business and Anti-Red Tape Council is established to set policy directions and programs to continuously advance competitiveness and ease of doing business initiatives.  It is chaired by the DTI Secretary and has as its members the ARTA Director General, Secretaries of DICT, DILG, DOF and 2 private sector representatives.    

Innovative Startup Act of 2019

  • Signed by President Duterte in April 2019, Republic Act 11337 (or the Innovative Startup Act) forms part of the government’s policy to foster inclusive growth through innovative economy by streamlining government and nongovernment initiatives, to create new jobs and opportunities, improve production, and advance innovation and trade.
  • The law creates the Philippine Startup Development Program (PSDP), which shall be composed of programs, benefits, and incentives for startups and startup enablers. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are the lead agencies tasked specifically to promulgate the rules and regulations for the efficient registration and assessment of startup enablers to be registered under the PSDP.
  • Other pertinent provisions include the creation of Philippine Startup Ecozones or Special Economic Zones in order to spur the growth and development of startups and startup enablers. The DTI has also been tasked to spearhead initiatives to develop short, medium, and long-term strategies in order to spur investment in startups. Finally, the law introduces the concept of a Startup Visa which shall be issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to foreign owners, employees, and investors of startups. These shall have an initial 5-year validity, and its bearers shall be exempt from securing an Alien Employment Permit from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), subject to the implementing rules to be promulgated by the DFA. DOLE, and Bureau of Immigration.
ease of doing business

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Philippines Merchandise Trade 2014 – 2018

PH Merchandise Trade (in US$M) 2014-2018 with the UK

  2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Exports 460.73 499.59 501.06 522.21 534.89
Imports 385.62 398.66 509.18 521.61 685.10
Total Trade 846.35 898.25 1,010.24 1,043.81 1,219.99
Balance of Trade 75.11 100.93 (8.12) 0.60 (150.21)

Sources: DTI-Tradeline Philippines[1]

• The compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of the PH merchandise for the total trade to the UK from 2014 to 2018 is at 9.6%. During the same period, the CAGR for import is 15.5%; whilst for export is at 3.8%.

• The top 5 PH exports over the past five years are: a) electronic products (↑7.6%); b) machinery and transport equipment (↓ 11.1%); c) other manufactures (↑ 9.2%); d) tuna (↑ 12.8%); and e) processed food and beverages (↑ 13.4). 2

• Meanwhile, the top 5 imports in 2018 are: a) optical, photographic, measuring or surgical instruments and apparatus; b) miscellaneous manufactured articles; c) furniture, bedding, mattresses; d) toys, games and sports requisites; and e) commodities and transactions not classified elsewhere.3

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PBBC Meeting September 2019 – EODB

PBBC meeting

The PBBC met in London on 24th September 2019 and amongst other topics they had a presentation on the recently enabled law on the “Ease of Doing Business” in the Philippines.

The presentation was given by Beatriz Alexandra G. Martinez, Third Secretary, Vice Consul, and Administrative Officer, Embassy of the Philippines, London.

The key slides from the presentation are presented below.

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British Business Delegation To The Philippines

The British Business Delegation To The Philippines will take place during 23 – 28 February 2020.

The PBBC are delighted to be working with the British Embassy, British Chamber of Commerce in Manila and the Makati Business Club, to offer U.K. companies this unique opportunity to do business or invest in the Philippines. Please put the dates in your diary and make contact early to secure your place on the Business Delegation.

Metro Manila

THIS EVENT IS MULTI-SECTOR AND OPEN FOR ALL

The British Business Delegation to the Philippines will include new and experienced exporters, investors, those looking to source from the market and those looking to outsource services to the Philippines. There is already strong, growing interest in tourism in the Philippines so anyone looking to increase tourism connections is also encouraged to apply. The delegation will be led by a senior and experienced PBBC Member from the UK with extensive experience of doing business in the Philippines.

Programme

The program for the delegation will include political, economic and sector briefings, business matchmaking events, site visits, business receptions and networking opportunities. One-to-one meetings can be added for a small additional fee. There will also be time for delegates to take the opportunity to explore the bustling city of Manila.

Travel & Hotel Package

The delegation will fly Philippine Air Lines (PAL) – the flag carrier of the Philippines (direct flight between London and Manila). The travel package cost will include flight, hotel accommodation for the duration of the visit and connections. 

The Philippines

The Philippines is one of the fastest growing global economies and has a rapidly expanding services industry. Economic growth has accelerated in recent years, averaging 6% GDP growth per year from 2011 to 2018 and is expected to expand at a solid pace through 2019/20 (Focus Economics). Now is the perfect time to explore the exciting business opportunities the Philippines has to offer.

More information

For more information and to sign up to the delegation please contact Melissa Dizon on 07741 654362 or by email at melissad@martellobc.co.uk www.facebook.com/britishbusinessdelegationphilippines2020

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British Business Delegation To The Philippines

The British Business Delegation To The Philippines will take place during 23 – 28 February 2020.

The PBBC are delighted to be working with the British Embassy, British Chamber of Commerce in Manila and the Makati Business Club, to offer U.K. companies this unique opportunity to do business or invest in the Philippines. Please put the dates in your diary and make contact early to secure your place on the Business Delegation.

Metro Manila

THIS EVENT IS MULTI-SECTOR AND OPEN FOR ALL

The British Business Delegation to the Philippines will include new and experienced exporters, investors, those looking to source from the market and those looking to outsource services to the Philippines. There is already strong, growing interest in tourism in the Philippines so anyone looking to increase tourism connections is also encouraged to apply. The delegation will be led by a senior and experienced PBBC Member from the UK with extensive experience of doing business in the Philippines.

Programme

The program for the delegation will include political, economic and sector briefings, business matchmaking events, site visits, business receptions and networking opportunities. One-to-one meetings can be added for a small additional fee. There will also be time for delegates to take the opportunity to explore the bustling city of Manila.

Travel & Hotel Package

The delegation will fly Philippine Air Lines (PAL) – the flag carrier of the Philippines (direct flight between London and Manila). The travel package cost will include flight, hotel accommodation for the duration of the visit and connections. 

The Philippines

The Philippines is one of the fastest growing global economies and has a rapidly expanding services industry. Economic growth has accelerated in recent years, averaging 6% GDP growth per year from 2011 to 2018 and is expected to expand at a solid pace through 2019/20 (Focus Economics). Now is the perfect time to explore the exciting business opportunities the Philippines has to offer.

More information

For more information and to sign up to the delegation please contact Melissa Dizon on 07741 654362 or by email at melissad@martellobc.co.uk www.facebook.com/britishbusinessdelegationphilippines2020

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Economic Performance Indicators – January 2019

ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND INDICATORS

Gross Domestic Product

• The Philippine economy remained one of the fastest growing in Asia, along with Vietnam and China. The PH Government is expecting a 6.5 percent GDP growth in 2018. The PH government will report on the 2018 GDP performance next week.

economic performance indicators
Inflation

• Inflation averaged 5.2 per cent last year, its quickest pace since the global financial crisis a decade ago.

Employment

• The annual employment rate in 2018 was estimated at 94.7 percent; annual unemployment rate was 5.3 percent.

• The total employed persons in the country in 2018 was approximately 41.2 million in 2018.

Budget (Revenues and Expenditure)

• In the first 11 months of 2018, the government’s budget balance swayed to a US $9.1 billion deficit, 96 percent higher than US $4.6 billion shortfall registered in the comparable period in 2017.

Foreign Direct Investment / Portfolio Investment

• FDI net inflows for the first ten months of 2018 reached US$8.5 billion, an increase of 1.8 percent from the US$8.4 billion net inflows in the comparable period in 2017. The government has projected overall FDI to hit $10.4 billion for the entire 2018.

Remittances

• Personal remittances from OFWs in January – November 2018 reached US$29.1 billion, 2.9 percent higher than the level posted a year ago.

• The bulk of cash remittances for the first eleven months of 2018 came from the US, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Japan, United Kingdom, Qatar, Canada, Germany, and Hong Kong. Cash remittances from these countries accounted for almost 79 percent of total cash remittances.

• Cash remittances from the UK to the Philippines increased by 9.2 per cent at US$1.3 billion from US$1.2 billion for the same period in 2017. UK remains the top source of overseas Filipino remittances in Europe, representing 35.6 % of the total remittances from the region.

Tourists

• International tourist arrivals in the first three quarters of 2018 reached 5.8 million travellers. Of these, 1.2 million are from South Korea and almost a million from China. On a national basis, South Korea provides 20 per cent of the tourists coming to the country.

• Arrivals of UK visitors have reached 163,000 visitors within the first three quarters of 2018 – this represents a 9.73 per cent increase from the same period in 2017.

• The UK visitors from the Philippines means the UK still ranks as the top visitor market for the Philippines in Europe.

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Oct 24

Peter Beckingham new UK Chairman

After nearly 18 years as UK Chairman of the PBBC, Nigel Rich has stepped down as Chairman and handed the reins over to Peter Beckingham as the new Chairman.

Peter Beckingham

Peter knows the Philippines well having been the British Ambassador in Manila from 2005 to 2009.

Further details about Peter can be found here.

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Sep 20

Economic performance and Indicators – September 2018

ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND INDICATORS – September 2018

Gross Domestic Product economic indicators

• The Philippine’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) slows down by 6 percent in the second quarter of the year. GDP grew by 6.8 percent in the first quarter of the year.

• NEDA has attributed the slowdown to policy decisions which would promote sustainable and resilient development.

• The growth in the 2nd quarter of the year was mainly driven by Manufacturing, Trade, and construction.

Trade / Exports / Imports

• The Philippines’ total external trade in goods In July 2018 reached US$15.25 billion, indicating an increase of 17.5 percent from US$12.97 billion recorded during the same month in 2017.

• From January to July, total imports payments went up by 15.7 percent to US$61.234 billion in 2018 from US$52.923 billion in 2016, whereas, total export receipts shrank by 2.8 percent at US$38.744 billion in 2018 from US$39.869 billion in 2017.

• The country’s balance of trade in goods (BoT-G) yielded a US$22.49 billion deficit in January to July 2017, 72.3 percent bigger than the US$13.055 billion trade gap in same period of 2017.

Inflation

• The headline inflation rate at the national level further accelerated by 6.4 percent in August 2018. In the previous month, inflation was posted at 5.7 percent and in August 2017, 2.6 percent.

• The indices of the following commodity groups recorded higher annual increases during the month: Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (8.5%); Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (21.6%); Furnishing, Housing Equipment (3.5%); Health and Restaurant and Miscellaneous Goods and Services (4.0%); and Recreation and Culture (2.4).

Employment

• As of July 2018, the unemployment rate was estimated at 5.4 percent. The unemployment rate in July 2017 was 5.6 percent.

• Estimates showed that 94.6 percent of the labour force population were employed in July, a slight increase from 94.4 percent last year.

Budget (Revenues and Expenditure)

• From January to June, government revenue collections vis-à-vis spending narrowed fiscal deficit to US$3.5 Billion, due to improved collections thanks to the new tax reform law (TRAIN law).

• Revenue collections reached US$26 Billion in the first half of the year.

• Government disbursements reached US$29.6 Billion or 20 percent higher than the US$24.6 Billion in the same period in 2017.

Foreign Direct Investment / Portfolio Investment

• For the first semester of the year, Foreign direct investments (FDI) grew by 165 percent to US$14.5 billion from US$5.5 billion for the same period in 2017, reflecting continued confidence of investors in the Philippine economy.

• By country, Indonesia topped all foreign investors with US$118 million, followed by Japan with US$48 million and China with US$16 million worth of investments.

Foreign Exchange Reserves

• The country’s foreign exchange reserves buffer improved to US$77 billion in August, up 1.4 percent from July’s US$76 billion.

• As of end-August, the Bangko Sentral has foreign investments of US$61.68 billion, higher than the previous month’s US$60.74 billion. Gold reserves however fell to US$7.62 billion from US$7.78 billion in July.

Remittances

• Data from Bangko Sentral showed that money sent by OFWs recovered in July this year. OFW personal remittances grew by 4.5 percent in July to US$2.7 billion. On a cumulative basis, personal remittances grew by 3 percent year-on-year to US$18.5 billion.

• More than 79 percent of total cash remittances came from the US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Singapore, Japan, UK, Qatar, Canada, Germany, and Hong Kong.

• There are currently 10 million overseas Filipinos worldwide.

• From January to July 2018, cash remittances from the UK to the Philippines increased by 9.9 percent at US$ 856,256,000 from US$ 799,049,000 for the same period in 2017. The UK remains the top source of overseas Filipino remittances in Europe, representing 35.36 % of the total remittances from the region.

Tourists

tourism

scene of beach in coron, philippines

• First semester tourist arrivals increased by 10.4 percent (or 3.7 million), compared to the 3.3 million arrivals recorded for the same period last year.

• Despite the closure of Boracay, tourism officials are confident that the year-end target of 7.5 million arrivals will be achieved.

• Arrivals from the UK have reached 89,782 within the first five months of this year. The UK still ranks as the 8th top visitor market for the Philippines.

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