Going to the Philippines to set up a business?

Understanding the business environment of a country is one of the first steps an investor, an entrepreneur, or a legal entity has to take in order to assess the viability of setting up or expanding a business outside its headquarters’ territory. It is crucial to identify if the opportunities present in the market are supported by entities, systems, and mechanisms which make doing business in the country easier compared to other locations in the region.

According to data from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), the government recently issued 20 new exploration permits in the first three months of 2010 alone. An exploration permit enables mining companies to tap the mineral resources of a particular area, and open them up to mining activities.

The term ‘location, location, location,’ applies to where you decide to put your office. Metro Manila, the capital of the Philippines is home to several business districts: Makati, Bonifacio Global City, and Ortigas being the main hubs. Choosing a location is the most important factor when starting your business in the Philippines. Determining the best area for your organization is key for your employees alleviating them from the congestion of the entire city.

Republic Act (RA) 9593, or the Tourism Act of 2009 passed by the Arroyo administration, cements a national policy bolstering investments and improving employment in the Philippines’ tourism industry. Fast forward to 2011, less than two (2) years since the law’s inception, and the country is seeing a rise in international visitor arrivals, which spiked to 7.89% in the first quarter of 2010.

Atty. Amanda Carpo, Country Head of InCorp Group’s subsidiary company in the Philippines, Kittelson & Carpo Consulting, will participate as speaker in a seminar entitled “The Philippines’ Consumer Economy: An Overview of the Philippine Market, its Consumer Landscape and Opportunities Available for Singaporean Companies”.

Subic Bay, Philippines is bordered on the east by Zambales mountains and the South China Sea on the west. A former US Naval base, Subic is now a freeport zone and a gateway for the transportation of goods. And, while it’s topography is more of a jungle paradise, technology, infrastructure, and industry have changed the landscape and the standard of living in the community.

The Philippine economy looks robust with two of its cities crashing into the top 10 of the Tholons Top 100 Outsourcing Destinations for 2014. Since its opening, the IT-BPO market in the Philippines has demonstrated great potential to become a global leader by leveraging a world-class workforce. The country’s I.T. Business Process Association of the Philippines or iBPAP, along with other local government agencies, promotes the industry, in part through campaigns designed to develop IT-BPO capabilities in additional hub cities.

Serviced offices offer a much needed convenience to foreign and local companies setting up business in the Philippines . These offices usually come fully-furnished, and are equipped by a separate facility management company. The managing company purchases the individual desks, office space, and operating equipment, then rents them out to client companies.

Renewable energy is a growing industry in the Philippines, thanks in part to increased investor optimism in renewable energy investments. Both foreign and local investors alike, including two of the Philippines’ top trading partners, are confident in the country’s potential as a major renewable energy investment destination.

Atty. Diana Lyn Bello of Carpo Law & Associates, K&C’s preferred and trusted law firm, was interviewed by Ms. Jo Gonzales host of “Mag Negosyo Tayo” – UNTV Radio

Kittelson & Carpo Consulting and Carpo Law & Associates, in partnership with the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines, brings you “Doing Business in the Philippines”. This covers discussions on how new updates and issuances from the SEC, PhilHealth, and BIR will affect current business operations, as well as projections on how the newly implemented TRAIN Law will channel favorable changes in the current Philippine business climate.