Committed to fostering a conducive investment environment in the Philippines, the Board of Investments (BOI) shared its experience in investment facilitation during the Third Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) meeting on Aug. 11, 2025.
BOI shares how the Philippines Make It Happen. Atty. Elyjean DC Portoza, Director of the BOI Legal and Compliance Service (LCS), discusses the experience of the Philippines in negotiations of international investment agreements and implementation of investment facilitation provisions. (Photo by APEC Korea)
Representing the BOI, Atty. Elyjean DC Portoza, Director of the Legal and Compliance Service (LCS), provided an overview of investment facilitation provisions in ASEAN free trade agreements (FTAs) such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement, ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA, and ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA).
Notably, Atty. Portoza shared that these FTAs generally provide the Parties’ intention to create the necessary investment environment, simplify procedures for applications and approvals, promote investment information dissemination, and establish one-stop investment centers.
RCEP, Atty. Portoza highlighted, includes assistance in amicably resolving investor’s complaints or grievances with government bodies, and establishing mechanisms for recommendations in addressing recurrent investor issues. She also mentioned that ACIA seeks to ensure enhanced facilitation through consultations with and advisory services to business communities.