PH, India firms ink 18 deals at business forum

The Philippines and India strengthened their economic ties as 18 business agreements were ceremonially presented during the recent Philippines-India Business Forum at the Taj West End, Bangalore.

The forum, spearheaded by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina A. Roque and co-organized with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), aimed to highlight the Philippines as a premier investment destination and foster robust trade and investment linkages.

During her keynote message, Secretary Roque emphasized the Philippines’ compelling value proposition for Indian enterprises seeking strategic growth beyond borders.

“Amidst global headwinds, the Philippines remains one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic economies. This is fueled by our young, tech-savvy population, a growing consumer base, and a digital economy projected to exceed 40 billion by 2030. We lead the region in services exports, digital transformation, and inclusive innovation,” Secretary Roque said, highlighting vast opportunities across high-impact sectors.

The trade chief also underscored the strong synergy between India’s IT excellence and the Philippines’ global leadership in IT-BPM and Global Capability Centers.

The event featured a series of presentations from key Philippine government officials, including Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso Panga, and IT and Business Processing Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) President and CEO Jack Madrid. Their briefings highlighted the Philippines’ competitive advantages, investor-friendly policies, and its readiness to welcome Indian companies seeking to expand in Southeast Asia.

The forum was capped by the presence of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who engaged with select Indian business leaders and organizations from FICCI, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Infosys BPM, iSON Group, and Tata Consultancy Services. These leaders shared insights on collaboration opportunities and expressed strong confidence in the Philippines’ sustained growth trajectory.

President Marcos Jr. witnessed the ceremonial presentation of the business, which covers sectors such as IT-BPM, renewable energy, healthcare, manufacturing, mineral processing, real estate, and defense sectors. These agreements underscore the shared commitment to deepen trade and investment partnerships between the two nations.

The presenters involved include Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Global Heavy Equipment and Construction Corporation, ATD Waste-To-Energy Corp, Uttamenergy Limited, Capgemini, Carelon Global Solutions Philippines Inc., PEZA, Genpact Services LLC, Veer-O-Metals, CostPlus Inc., Hinduja Global Solutions, Infosys BPM, iSON Tower Ltd. Inc., Kiri Industries Limited, Makilala Mining Company, Dr. Lloyd Balajadia, DRA Group, CheQ Digital, Fyn Mobility, NephroPlus Philippines, Shearwater CPO, Asia Defense Firepower Corporation in collaboration with SMPP Limited, Sutherland Global Services, and Tata Consultancy Services with NOW Corporation.

In his keynote speech, President Marcos Jr. expressed his appreciation for the growing partnership, highlighting the Philippines’ commitment not only to strengthening investment linkages but also to deepening trade relations with India.

“The Philippines is ready to begin formal discussions on a Philippines-India Preferential Trade Agreement, a crucial tool that can significantly enhance two-way trade, encourage product diversification, and support modern supply chain integration. Trade policy is not just a facilitative mechanism—it is a clear signal of trust. We are prepared to move forward with India on that basis, with confidence and a shared vision for prosperity,” President Marcos Jr. declared.

Following the high-impact forum, DTI continues to promote the Philippines as a premier investment destination and facilitate strategic partnerships that drive sustained economic cooperation between the Philippines and India.