The Philippines is willing to be part of Uniqlo’s partner factory model program, which is aligned with Ma-nila’s plan to revitalize the country’s textile and fashion industry.
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque met with officials of Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, on Tuesday to promote the Philippines as an ideal and strategic location for a Uniqlo manufacturing facility. Uniqlo is a subsidiary of Fast Retailing.
“We are currently revitalizing our textile and fashion design industry and would be very
interested in exploring the possibility of being a candidate for your partner factory model program,” Roque said in a speech during the meeting, copies of which were given to the Philip-pine media.
Roque said the program has been a success in other countries and opening the program to the Philip-pines would be beneficial to both parties as “your expertise and our supply chains not only reduce ship-ping time and lower cost, but also improve sustainability by minimizing our carbon footprint.”
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is willing to facilitate connections with weaving communi-ties, sustainable fabric producers and designers to help the clothing brand establish a more reliable local supply base, Roque said.
On the basis of Uniqlo’s success in the Philippines, Roque said the Trade department is prepared to work with the Japanese clothing company and push its advocacy on sustainable and responsible sourcing of raw materials and environmental consciousness.
To showcase the Philippines’ sustainability efforts and the richness of Filipino craftsmanship, Roque sug-gested that Uniqlo consider pop-up showcases in major Uniqlo stores in the country.
Roque also suggested featuring sustainable Philippine products and to time the presentation with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines this year.
In her speech at a separate roundtable with Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), also on Tuesday, Roque said the Philippines is keen on building a firm partnership with Japan in manufacturing, technolo-gy, and renewable energy.
The Philippines looks forward to hosting for the first time the 14th Asia Business Summit in July, the Trade secretary said.
This is an important platform for Asian business leaders to discuss regional economic issues. The previ-ous summit, initiated by the Keidanren in 2010 is an annual gathering of business leaders across the re-gion, she said.
“We seek Keidanren’s continued partnership for the upcoming 14th ABS. We believe that your expertise and insights will be invaluable in addressing the summit’s key themes of innovation, free and fair trade, carbon neutrality, and digital transformation,” Roque added.
The Philippines is committed to fostering a conducive environment where foreign investments can thrive, while believing that Japanese businesses can play a significant role in the country’s economic de-velopment.
In a separate roundtable with Keizai Doyukai or the Japan Association of Corporate Executives also on Tuesday in Tokyo, Roque said the Philippines is eager to explore new avenues in areas of mutual interest, such as trade, investment,and talent development.
Roque said the Japan-Asean Talent Circulation Platform presents a promising opportunity to enhance human resource exchange and foster economic integration in the region.
“We are keen to actively participate in this initiative, identifying key sectors where talent exchange would provide maximum mutual benefits,” she added.
