Duterte vows corruption-free environment for Japanese investors
Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte promised Japanese investors a corruption-free business environment in the Philippines during a business forum speech in Tokyo. Duterte encouraged investors to report to him any problems or outright corruption and promised to “kill” anything that prevents the operation of their businesses in the Philippines. The president invited investors to take part in the government’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure project, which is expected to create jobs for Filipinos. He stated that the country was a “natural choice” for Japanese firms seeking a manufacturing base in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and high-value knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) ventures, and mentioned the Philippines’ upgraded BBB+ credit rating by Standard & Poor’s. Duterte also highlighted the country’s economic priorities, including resolving the issues of economic market access for Philippine agricultural products and service suppliers in project construction. He reiterated the country’s commitment to maintaining a “stable and predictable environment” for trade partnerships between the Philippines and Japan.
