Philippines, Korea Forge Digital Innovation Partnership

The Philippines has partnered with the Korean government to drive digital transformation and innovation, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

NEDA, in collaboration with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), launched the inaugural meeting of the Korean-Philippine Economic Innovation Partnership Program (EIPP) on January 16 at the New World Hotel in Makati City.

The program unveiled plans for three digital infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing information and communications technology (ICT) in the Philippines.

NEDA Undersecretary for Investment Programming Joseph J. Capuno highlighted the partnership’s significance in advancing digital innovation and fostering mutual growth.

“We are at the threshold of an exciting chapter in the partnership between the Philippines and Korea—one that promises to foster innovation, drive economic growth, and create a lasting impact for both nations,” Capuno said.

“With the signing of the MOU last year, we will now begin implementing the program with three projects from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), which will pave the way for significant advancements in our digital infrastructure,” he added.

The EIPP’s three projects include the development of a National Communications Satellite Roadmap, the establishment of an Implementation Plan for the Philippine E-Government Master Plan, and the creation of an Implementation Plan for an Integrated Data Center.

The National Communications Satellite Roadmap seeks to build a robust telecommunications satellite sector in the Philippines.

The Philippine E-Government Master Plan aims to expand government expertise by leveraging Korea’s technology to develop an efficient e-government strategy.

The Integrated Data Center project will adopt Korea’s integrated information resource model to enhance the Philippine government’s data center capabilities.

“I am optimistic that, through our combined efforts, we will pave the way for a future in which both our nations thrive in the global economy, driven by innovation, collaboration, and shared progress,” Capuno said.

He expressed confidence that the partnership would help the Philippines transition to upper-middle-income country status by the end of the year.

The EIPP, launched in 2020 by Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF), is a multi-year, government-to-government cooperation program.

The program is designed to promote sustainable and mutually beneficial economic growth by supporting the development efforts of partner countries.

The launch seminar was attended by officials from the Korean and Philippine governments.

Attendees included Deputy Director Byeongkwan Seo of Korea’s MOEF and Director General Chul-ho Park of KOTRA’s Development Cooperation Office.

Director General Sujung Lee of KOTRA Manila and Director Mu-hyuk Lee of the Korea Overseas Infrastructure and Urban Development Corporation (KIND) also attended.

Other participants included First Secretary Hyun-tae Song of the Korean Embassy in the Philippines and DICT Undersecretary David Almirol Jr.