The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Malaysian Embassy in the Philippines are exploring special collaborations aimed at opening up key sectors in the country.
Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino said in a courtesy call to ARTA Secretary Ernesto Perez his country was keen on creating future collaborations with ARTA.
“Your [ARTA’s] presence is actually so important to give confidence to businesses. It’s very important [in] any day that you can refer to some jurisdiction. So it’s good that you have that, so we can go to you,” he said.
The ambassador also commended ARTA’s role in the opening up of important industries, particularly the energy sector.
Castelino said the embassy was planning to forge a memorandum of understanding (MOUs) with agencies in Malaysia like the Malaysian Productivity Corp. and the Pasukan Petugas Khas Pemudahcara Perniagaan (PEMUDAH) or the Special Task Force to Facilitate Business.
ARTA and the Malaysian Embassy plan to include the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in its priorities by crafting measures to provide lasting solutions to the security issues in the region, potentially resulting in more established businesses and employment to the people.
ARTA has an existing engagement with Bangsamoro Board of Investments and scheduled courtesy visit with the BARMM chief minister in the first quarter of 2024.
Castelino said he was looking forward to a briefing on the economy and ease of doing business (EODB) on Jan. 24, 2024 with Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) Secretary Frederick Go.