PSBC First Six Months Report 2021

Dear Members,

We hope that you and your families and loved ones are safe and keeping well. In the first half of the year, PSBC takes this opportunity to reflect on what has been accomplished as a business council to enhance value for our members and facilitate the growth of trade and investment between the Philippines and Switzerland.

At the start of the year, the Board and I have set our 2021 objectives amidst a challenging period in our history. 

What strengthens us is knowing that businesses and global cooperation are all the more critical in bridging across borders and inspiring initiatives to improve lives and rebuild economies. Of importance is the great leadership and support of our Swiss Ambassador Alain Gaschen and his team former Deputy Head of Mission Mathias Domenig, Sr. Economic and Trade Officer Kent Primor, and now the new Deputy Heads of Mission Céline Fürst and Tim Fürst, to guide and facilitate implementation of our priorities.  

In the first half of the year, the Council has upgraded its focus in terms of (1) reframing our structure, (2) reconnecting with partners, and (3) integrating our member contributions in rebuilding the business ecosystem.

These translate into four (4) key priorities: 

1. active promotion of the PH-EFTA-FTA, 
2. improving communication of our companies` ESG and impact on society, 
3. business development, and 
4. COVID-19 pandemic recovery, digital transformation, and promotion of pandemic response/preparedness initiatives. 

Together with the dedicated Board and energetic council members, we are happy to note that we have achieved a great deal in six months. Allow me to describe the accomplishments and announce the activities that are in the pipeline beginning the second half of the year.

PH-EFTA PROMOTION

Recently Concluded: PH-CH Business Forum organized by the PH Department of Trade and Industry, PH Board of Investments, Swiss Embassy, Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce, Swiss Global Enterprise and PSBC held on June 16, 2021. Major takeaways from the breakout sessions on three key industries for joint investment can be viewed here. 

Recently Concluded: Joint Economic Commission Event on June 17, 2021Watch out for: Final details of the European-Philippine Business Summit on Sep 23 and 30 with Amb. Gaschen discussing PH-EFTA FTA. This event will feature a series of high-level online conversations with key government figures, business leaders, and economic experts.

LISTENING TO OUR MEMBERS

Recently Concluded: PSBC Survey to Member Companies last May - June 2021. We thank those who took the time to participate in the survey.

Below are the key findings of the survey:

• On PH-EFTA-FTA Utilization, only 21% of the respondents said they have availed of its benefits, while 79% have not. 77% expressed interest in knowing more about this FTA, which is why we are making this a priority.
• 68% of the respondents reported that their sales were down in terms of business performance, and 57% said their profits were down in 2020. The good news is that 57% forecast a positive outlook in 2021, while 68% plan to invest further.
• The top 3 challenges include cost of doing business, job market, and infrastructure and supply chain issues.
• The top 3 priorities include business development, talent development and management, and digital transformation.
• 54% of the respondents have participated in the PSBC pooling vaccination program to support the country’s herd immunity targets. In addition, our companies extended support to their employees through flexible work arrangements, facemasks, face shields, COVID-19 vaccines, and RT-PCR tests.

CONNECTING WITH MEMBERS

Dialogue/Roundtable series, dubbed as Virtual Coffee Talk for 8 launched in May 2021. These small-group conversations with PSBC members aimed at exploring avenues to connect with stakeholders and strategize how we can help as a Council. Each Virtual Talk is facilitated by the Swiss Ambassador Alain Gaschen and myself.  

Virtual Coffee Talks were held on May 20 and 25, June 1, 3, 8, 10, July 7 and 14. 

The key themes and recommendations that stemmed from the discussion are as follows:

• Access to Learning and Growth Opportunities
  • Conduct of skills workshops by experienced Swiss masters help local workers upgrade competency in developing new products.
  • Co-organize industry forums such as Logistics Forum on the theme of mobility, electrification, and related topics.
  • Provide timely updates on trade regulations.
  • PSBC members are also interested in the Philippine-Switzerland Traineeship Agreement, and we would like to co-develop initiatives along this line.
• Smoothen ties with Government
  • Liaise with relevant government agencies concerning key issues of business operations.
  • Provide support to expedite the entry of company expats
• Pandemic Support via benchmarking of good practices on Covid handling and vaccine pooling
• Support for Marketing and Business Continuity
  • Facilitate matching with potential suppliers
  • Co-organize promotional events for Swiss importers.

Watch out for: Enhancement of package and membership categories and setting up of sectoral committees composed of expert advisers.

ADVOCACY AND COLLABORATION

We started Year 2021 with courtesy meetings with our parent-chamber, PCCI with Chairman Emeritus Amb. Francis Chua. We thank the PCCI Board and the Chairman for International Affairs Mr. Rene Simbulan for appointing dedicated International Affairs Specialist, Miguel “Mito” Santos for PSBC who has been actively sending invitations to our events, handling communication, among others. 

• Recently Concluded: Renewal of MoU with the Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce 
• Recently Concluded: Collaboration with Swiss Global Enterprise for business scouting investment opportunities.
• Recently Concluded: Collaboration with Philippine Department of Trade and Industry - Board of Investments, Philippine Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, Philippine Department of Health, Philippine Food and Drug Administration, University of the Philippines National Telehealth Center, Philippine Department of Agriculture with think-tanks/universities and other stakeholders on key sectoral impact topics and pandemic response with ECCP, European chambers, Swiss Chambers in Asia, and the Wallace Business Forum, among others.

VACCINE POOLING & CSR

32% of the survey respondents signified their interest to participate in PSBC pooling of vaccine purchase, which in total, amounts to 3,958 doses of vaccines. At present, 9 companies have confirmed their intent to order, with a cumulative 1,184 vaccines to be purchased in total. Reiner Gloor has been leading this initiative.

ALPS is the CSR arm of Filipino and Swiss business professionals in the Philippines. Established in 2011, it aims to provide humanitarian assistance to Filipino communities during crisis or calamities, particularly in the areas of school and housing rehabilitation, but also on the provision of educational, health, and nutritional resources for children affected by displacement. 

As ALPS is affiliated with PSBC, we are happy to note that 50% of the survey respondents signified their interest in coursing donations for their company’s CSR initiatives through ALPS.

COMMUNICATION AND DIGITAL ENGAGEMENTS

• Ongoing: We launched our LinkedIn company page in May 2021 and we are maintaining this as our way to communicate and engage while building our network. Suggestions on featured stories and topics are welcome. 
• Resources: We now have a paid Zoom Account to launch our workshops and sessions up to 100 attendees.
• Watch out for: Launching of our new website in August 2021. Thanks to Marcel Thenu for leading this initiative.

On Events

• Watch out for: General Membership Meeting set on November 10
• Watch out for: Social Environmental and Economic Impact Roundtables: Sectoral SEE Impact Roundtable Discussions

Looking ahead, PSBC will continue to expand and strengthen our capabilities to support our members in the (4) key priority areas. Together, we will co-create solutions to enhance cooperation between and among Philippine and Swiss entrepreneurs in coping with the challenges, reskilling, and seizing new opportunities to emerge stronger from the pandemic. 

Much work still lies ahead, but the gains that we had from the previous years and the encouraging support from existing and new members propel us to further our mission.

I also want to take this chance to thank Luis E. Mendez for his invaluable contributions as Vice-Chairperson (2013-2015), Chairperson (2015-2019) and Board Member (2019- 2021) has paved the way for many of our Council’s milestones. As he steps down as Board Member, we welcome back Rosario Cajucom-Bradbury into the Board effective July 1, 2021. Rosario has been mobilizing our Virtual Coffee Talk and leading membership promotion.

On behalf of the Philippine-Swiss Business Council Board, we would like to thank you, our members and partners, for your vital support. We look forward to an energetic and meaningful second half of 2021 as we write the future chapters of our business and industry landscape together. 

Yours,

Christine Fajardo 
PSBC Chair