Philippines

American Businesses Still Welcome In The Philippines - Bizwatch

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• published: 08 Nov 2016
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In the face of recent anti-american sentiments emanating from our land, the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine or Am-Cham has been receiving a barrage of messages of concern from its members across the globe. Am-Cham is now assuring American businessmen that they are still welcome to do business in the Philippines. The United States of America is the Philippines longest ally, and after President Duterte’s recent pronouncement of our economic separation from the US, this has sent jitters among American businessmen all over the world. The American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines or AmCham, however, released a message to its members through AmCham Executive Director Ebb Hinchcliffe. The Executive Director said that “this message is intended to reassure you that recent anti-american statements will not make the Philippines any less important to the American business community. “ the AmCham official also said that it is closely monitoring developments in the business community. According to Director Ebb Hinchcliffe, the messages of concern received by his office include request for explanation on whether their investments, purchases from the Philippines and visits to the country are still welcome. This sentiment was brought about by President Duterte’s proclamation that the country is separating economically from the us during his Beijing visit. Adding to the concerns of the American businessmen was the announcement made by President Duterte to a Filipino audience in China that he is considering requiring visas for American citizens travelling to the Philippines, although nothing definite was mentioned. Amcham promised that it will continue to hold talks with the Philippines’ economic team after the conclusion of their Tokyo visit. This is to ascertain the Philippines’ evolving foreign policy. However, President Duterte has since made a clarification of his pronouncements in Beijing. He said that “It is not a severance of ties. When you say severance of ties, you cut diplomatic relations. I cannot do that. Why? It is to the best interest of my country that we maintain that relationship.” The President also said that “What I was really saying was separation of a foreign policy.” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez also said that “the President’s statement means just maintaining the relationship and just breaking too much dependence on one side. But trade and investment cooperation with the US continues.” Secretary Lopez, in a CNN interview, was quoted as saying that “In terms of economic ties, we are not stopping trade, investment with America. The President specifically mentioned his desire to strengthen further the ties with China and the ASEAN region which we have been trading with for centuries. But we definitely won’t stop the trade and investment activities with the west, specifically the US.”