Innovation key to competitiveness in Asean integration – MVP

MANILA, Philippines - A business leader has called on Philippine companies to innovate and improve their competitiveness to prepare for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economic integration by 2015.

“Even before (the ASEAN integration) happens, Philippine businesses must learn to compete with the rest of (the) ASEAN without the benefit of protectionist policies from (the) government,” Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. chairman Manuel Pangilinan said during the First Stratbase Thought Leaders Forum held at Manila Polo Club in Makati City recently.

“But certain things are clear: Economies of scale, which means big business, greater competitive strength, and a Silicon Valley culture are all imperatives when this integration might happen,” Pangilinan said during the forum which carried the theme Transforming Philippine business and investments towards ASEAN Integration.

Cutting-edge political management, research and advisory firm Stratbase marked its 10th anniversary with the launch of the Stratbase Thought Leaders Forum. 

The forum is a series of high-level events that gathers key business leaders in intelligent conversations on Philippine development issues, serving as an economic think tank, inspired by the work and achievements of former Stratbase chairman and current Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario.

According to Stratbase managing director Prof. Dindo Manhit, the Thought Leaders series is envisioned to be “The Forum” for the country’s most brilliant and influential personae to share ideas and explore how to positively respond to critical issues affecting the country’s development towards becoming a prosperous nation.

Pangilinan said Philippine companies should be innovative and bold in raising operational efficiencies, developing new products and services and reaching new markets in ASEAN.

He said to help companies “the government must let loose a vibrant and competitive businesses [by] removing exorbitant business taxes, red tape in approval processes, inconsistencies in policies and rules, and populist tendencies which may unwittingly hurt (public) welfare in the long run.”

“It is imperative that Philippine business and government work together to ensure that we do benefit from the fruits offered by (ASEAN) integration,” Pangilinan said.

Another speaker during the forum, Ernest Z. Bower, president and CEO of top US-ASEAN consulting firm BowerGroupAsia and concurrently the senior adviser and Sumitro chairman for Southeast Asia Studies and co-director of the Pacific Partners Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), noted the importance of the alliance of the Philippines and the United States in the ASEAN integration.Find out more about Stratbase at www.stratbase.com.ph.  Inquire about the next Thought Leaders Forum by calling 892-1754.