Kyoto firms tap BDO to boost PH trade, talent ties

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Japanese companies from Kyoto are strengthening trade and talent ties with the Philippines through a business mission hosted by BDO Unibank Inc., signaling rising investor interest outside Japan’s traditional hubs of Tokyo and Osaka.

BDO welcomed a delegation from the Kyoto Employers Association (KEA) to its headquarters in Makati, offering detailed insights into Philippine market conditions, workforce dynamics, and investment opportunities.

The visit, KEA’s first official business mission to the Philippines, was organized in partnership with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Osaka and led by BDO Senior Vice President Monina Elena Camigla of the Financial Institutions and International Desks.

Camigla noted the growing momentum for cross-border collaboration and emphasized BDO’s commitment to enabling long-term investor confidence.

“As foreign companies increasingly look to the Philippines for opportunities, BDO stands ready with localized expertise and global perspective,” she said during the meeting.

The KEA youth delegation, composed of next-generation leaders aged 50 and below, represented Kyoto’s vibrant economy, with members from sectors including automotive, IT, real estate, graphic design, food manufacturing, refrigeration, waste recycling, and legal services.

KEA is one of Kyoto Prefecture’s four major business groups, representing more than 430 companies, including internationally recognized firms such as Kyocera, Nidec, Horiba, and Shimadzu.

The mission’s engagement with BDO aimed to bridge Kyoto-based enterprises with Philippine counterparts and explore partnerships in talent development, innovation, and supply chain expansion.

While Japanese business activity in the Philippines has typically centered on firms based in Tokyo and Osaka, the KEA visit reflects a broader geographic shift and Japan’s evolving approach to regional economic integration.

BDO remains the only Philippine bank with fully integrated International Desks, staffed by multilingual relationship managers trained in both local and foreign banking systems.

Established in 2007, BDO’s Japan Desk has since expanded to serve the operational and personal financial needs of Japanese companies and individuals based in the Philippines.

“BDO’s unique multicultural setup gives Japanese investors the confidence and continuity they need to establish roots and thrive in the Philippine market,” said Camigla.

The collaboration highlights the Philippines’ growing strategic value for Japanese enterprises looking to diversify their operations amid global supply chain rebalancing and Southeast Asia’s expanding consumer base.