Last July 12, Buster Elevado, Commercial Counsellor of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) – Osaka was one of the speakers of a seminar entitled, “Philippine Economic Seminar: Attractive Business Climate as Manufacturing Base and Market” held at the OKB Fureai Center in Gifu City. It was organized the the Gifu Economic and Industrial Center (GEIPC), Gifu Industries Association (GIA) and PTIC Osaka supported by the Gifu-based regional bank, Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank, the Tokio Marine and Nichido Fire Insurance Co. and the Mitsui Insurance Co.

Left photo: Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) – Osaka Commercial Counsellor Buster Elevado. Right photo: The participants of the Philippine Economic Seminar held in Gifu City.

As it borders Aichi Prefecture where Japan’s major automotive manufacturers are located, Gifu Prefecture is the home of many small and medium enterprise (SME) parts suppliers of these manufacturers. Many of these companies are in metalworking and mold and die manufacturing.

There were 40 participants coming mostly from Gifu SMEs. Mr. Elevado spoke about the economic policies under President Duterte, “Build, Build, Build”. Other speakers include, Mr. Ichiro Tsuji a tax accountant based on the Philippines on doing business in the Philippines and Mr. Satoshi Nagai, Managing Director of NBC Co, a Gifu-based company, which manufactures automotive electronics. This company recently set up NBC (Philippines) Car Technology Corporation that manufactures automotive wiring harnesses in Batangas.

Later, officials of the GEIPC and the GIA said they will organize a business mission to the Philippines.