Other Briefings
Philippines the First ASEAN Country to Join the EU’s General System of Preferences Plus (GSP+)
On December 18, 2014, the European Parliament officially granted the Philippines’ request for inclusion in the European Union’s (EU) General System of Preferences Plus (GSP+). The Philippines will soon be able to export, tariff-free, over 6,200 products (66 percent of all product tariff lines) to the EU, including processed fruit, coconut oil, footwear, fish, and textiles.
The Philippines’ Inclusive Business Program to Provide a Range of Incentives to Foreign Investors
The Philippines is currently accepting applications from companies to participate in its Inclusive Business (IB) program. The program is intended to help reduce poverty across the nation by encouraging businesses to set up their operations in areas that have been identified as economically disadvantaged. In return for basing their operations in these areas, businesses will be granted a range of financial and other incentives. The program will initially focus on the areas of Marivetes (Bataan), Cavite, Mactan (Cebu), and Baguio.
Understanding How The Philippines Taxes Online Sellers
The Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has issued a memorandum stating that it will now begin collecting taxes from individuals and businesses that are engaged in selling products online.
BPO in the Philippines Could Jumpstart Economic Growth
The month of August saw an all-time high for employment in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector in the Philippines, hitting over one million employees. The growth in employment is being primarily driven by the expansion plans of a number of companies, such as Accenture and Convergys. Over the past decade, the Philippines BPO industry has seen tremendous growth – revenues and employment have expanded tenfold since 2004. The industry sees an average per year growth rate of 20 percent.
Philippines Signs onto Multilateral Tax Assistance Convention
In a move aimed at streamlining its tax processes, the Philippines has become the 68th nation to sign on to the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters. Kim Jacinto Henares, the Commissioner of the country’s Bureau of Internal Revenue, signed the agreement in Paris on September 26th.
The Philippines Issues Restraining Order on Investor Disclosure Rules
On September 9th, the Philippines’ Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), which prevented it from enforcing regulations requiring the submission by withholding agents of a list of their investors receiving taxable income. These regulations were laid out in Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 1-2014, which were promulgated earlier this year.
U.S. Companies Eye Investment Opportunities in the Philippines
Due to its potential for growth and development, U.S. businesses are looking to increase commercial and economic ties with the Philippines. Last week, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker visited the Philippines to meet with President Aquino and other officials.
Philippines Destined to be Asia’s Next Tech Tiger?
The Philippines may have the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia, but it also has the slowest internet speed in the region. Despite this, some foreign investors believe they may have spotted an opportunity that could turn the country into Asia’s next tech tiger.
Two-Year Tax Breaks Proposed for Philippines’ Startups
The Philippines have filed a bill that would grant a tax exemption for startup businesses during their first two years of establishment.
Indonesia and the Philippines Agree on Maritime Border
Indonesia and the Philippines inked an agreement last week that clearly defines the borders of the two countries’ Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) in the Mindanao Sea and Celebes Sea.
