MAKATI CITY – In a significant move to bolster the ease of doing business in the Philippines, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Tuesday. This partnership aims to facilitate a smoother regulatory environment for businesses operating within the country.
According to Philippines News Agency, the agreement was formalized during a luncheon meeting on Ease of Doing Business hosted by the ECCP. Under the MOU, the ECCP will act as ARTA champions, authorized to receive and forward complaints to ARTA, which will then take the necessary actions. This collaborative effort is designed to address and mitigate the challenges posed by bureaucratic red tape.
The MOU outlines several key responsibilities for both organizations. The ECCP will assist ARTA by reporting incidents of bureaucratic inefficiency and by appointing a certified focal person to manage complaints related to violations of the Ease of Doing Business Law. ARTA, in return, commits to providing training, orientations, and webinars to ECCP members, equipping them to efficiently handle complaints and navigate the regulatory landscape.
Furthermore, ARTA has pledged to ensure that complaints forwarded by the ECCP are addressed promptly and to keep the ECCP informed about the progress of these complaints. Additionally, ARTA will supply the ECCP with educational materials to enhance understanding of the Ease of Doing Business law among the business community.
Highlighting the importance of this partnership, Perez remarked, "This MOU is a step towards assuring our businessmen, members of ECCP which constitute a big portion of the investors in the country, reassure them that the administration of President Marcos is really serious about providing them the right avenue, the right resources for ease of doing business in the country."
ECCP President Paulo Duarte expressed the chamber's commitment to supporting the Philippines' economic growth and development through active engagement in initiatives that promote ease of doing business. "Through this partnership, we aspire to be more active in advocating for ease of doing business in the Philippines, leveraging our platform to raise awareness among our members and partners," Duarte stated, emphasizing the shared goal of fostering sustainable economic development in the Philippines alongside ARTA.