Filipino trade officials will push for a review of the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA) when they meet with their Japanese counterparts by the end of the month.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque told reporters late Tuesday that she will lead two missions to Japan later this month to continue the country’s push for more investments.
“We have to take that up, there are some agriculture products that we want to push,” said Roque when asked about the PJEPA review.
She did not elaborate but said she is set to meet with the International Trade Group of the DTI to finalize the agenda.
In a Dec. 9, 2024 report by Malaya Business Insight, DTI Undersecretary Allan Gepty was quoted as saying that a key concession that has to be improved is the tariff on bananas and other tropical fruits like fresh pineapples and coffee.
Gepty in that report said the Philippines seeks zero tariff on bananas.
At present, bananas from the Philippines enter Japan with 18 percent duty during the cold months and 8 percent in summer.
Banana is the Philippines’ top agricultural export to Japan, the Department of Agriculture said.
In 2023, the Philippines exported over 41 percent or 985,461 metric tons (MT) of bananas to Japan, out of its total 2.35 million MT global banana exports.
Roque said during her Japan mission, the Philippines will pursue investment leads in semiconductors, coconut and retail .
“The Philippines has been gaining interest from Japan following the passage of CREATE MORE Act,” she added, referring to the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities Act. She noted the attractive incentives available under the law.
In the December 2024 interview, Gepty said since PJEPA came into force in 2008, no new concessions have been obtained.
