GOVPH

Philippines Joins UNITWIN Program on Capacity Building for Sustainability

18 April 2024. Seoul - The Philippines, represented by the University of the Assumption of Pampanga, took part in a MOU signing ceremony and conference for the UNESCO University Twinning and Networking Mechanism (UNITWIN) on Capacity-Building for Sustainable Development held from 12-14 April 2024 in Seoul. The activity supported by the ROK Ministry of Education was organized by the UNESCO UNITWIN Program and Handong Global University - the ROK lead university designated by UNESCO. Aside from the PH the MOU signing was participated in by the University of Finance and Economics of Mongolia and Tribhuvan University of Nepal. 

In their remarks, Director Mikyeong Shin of the ROK Ministry of Education and Dr. Dosoung Choi, President of Handong Global University thanked the universities from the Philippines, Mongolia, and Nepal for joining a growing academic network of higher education institutions committed to developing programs on social entrepreneurship and sustainability.

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega, delivered congratulatory remarks and emphasized that cooperation among academic institutions is vital as the world works double time to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals.  She added that the academic mission of capacity-building for a sustainable future may only be fully realized in an impactful manner by harnessing the expertise, strengths, best practices, and resources of educational institutions which embrace the spirit of cooperation and exchange.

After the MOU signing, a series of panels and workshops on joint projects within the UNITWIN program were discussed during the ensuing conference.

A delegation from the University of the Assumption led by its President Rev. Fr. Joselito Henson took part in the signing ceremony and conference. END

Philippine International Tax and Investment Roadshow held in Korea

12 April 2024, Seoul. The Korea leg of the of the 2024 International Tax and Investment Roadshow was held from 25-28 March 2024 in Seoul.

The activities were conducted as part of the 2024 International Tax and Investment Roadshow, co-organized by the DTI, PTIC-Seoul, Asian Consulting Group (ACG), Banco de Oro (BDO), and Unibank Group.

The lead resource person for the roadshow Mr. Ramon Abrea, Chief Tax Adviser of ACG, made presentations on the Philippines as an investment destination, highlighting the country’s positive macroeconomic performance, an overview of PH’s investment grade credit ratings, emerging industries, salient features of the Ease of Doing Business Act (EODB), tax policy reforms such as the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), the Ease of Paying Taxes Act (EOPT), the Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) as well as fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for foreign investors. BDO likewise contributed presentations on the key economic indicators for the country.

Tax and investment presentations were held at the ASEAN Korea Centre on 26 March 2024 with participants coming from various companies with investments in the Philippines, Korean locators, and companies with ongoing and future projects mainly in the E&C sector.  A similar presentation was made before the CEOs of member companies of the Korea Resource Recycling Confederation or KRCG. KRCG members including those involved in waste management, waste-to-energy, upcycling, and related green technology.

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega and PTIC Commercial Counsellor Jose Ma. Dinsay were likewise on hand to introduce the major elements of the recently signed PH-ROK Free Trade Agreement and possible investment areas.

PTIC-Seoul and ACG likewise met with specific industry clusters to explain the taxation and incentives system for foreign investors in the Philippines. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY CALLS ON INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CORPORATION OFFICIALS

11 April 2024, Incheon – Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega called on Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) CEO Lee Hag Jae on 11 April 2024 at the IIAC headquarters in Incheon, Republic of Korea. 

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega congratulated IIAC CEO Lee for winning the bid for the Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport Development and Operation PPP Project (Private Investment Project) as part of a consortium with San Miguel Corporation-SAP and local financial investors in the Philippines. A development and operation project that will take place over 25 years until 2049, the project is expected to massively modernize and transform the Philippines’ main International Airport. 

The Ambassador conveyed that the Philippine government recognizes the need for experts to work on this massive undertaking and looks forward to IIAC’s expertise, especially in pursuing terminal expansion and airport operation optimization. The airport modernization is expected to raise airport capacity to 62 million passengers annually, from its current 35 million. It is likewise expected to contribute to improving global air traffic once completed. 

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega likewise conveyed that the Philippine airport modernization is a priority project of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., under the administration’s “Build Better, More”! Program. 

For his part, CEO Lee welcomed the Ambassador’s warm words and looked forward to working with the Philippine government, private sector partners, and the Embassy on this project. CEO Lee assured that the IIAC will send its best technical experts to the Philippines to work on the airport modernization project. 

IIAC CEO Lee was joined by Mr. Chaiwoo Lee, Executive Director of Overseas Business Group, and Ms. HyesongLim, Senior Manager of Overseas Business Group. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega was accompanied by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario. 

The Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) was established to efficiently build, manage, and operate the Incheon International Airport. A world-class airport corporation, the IIAC streamlines air transportation and also provides technical expertise in building and managing airports overseas. END