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USEFUL BUSINESS INFORMATION ON PHILIPPINES
1. Country Brief:
A. Introduction - The Philippines is the third largest English speaking country in the world. It has a rich history combining Asian, European, and American influences. Prior to Spanish colonisation in 1521, the Filipinos had a rich culture and were trading with the Chinese and the Japanese. Spain's colonisation brought about the construction of Intamuros in 1571, a "Walled City" comprised of European buildings and churches, replicated in different parts of the archipelago. In 1898, after 350 years and 300 rebellions, the Filipinos, with leaders like Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo, succeeded in winning their independence.
With a reputation for being chaotic and corrupt, the Philippines has something of an image problem. But most who make the journey to the 7000-odd islands that comprise the Philippines are pleasantly surprised by their beauty and by the friendliness of the people.
Most of the Philippines is laidback, stable and relatively safe. The locals are an exceptionally helpful bunch and there are fantastic reefs and fish. On top of this, transport is cheap, the food is good, accommodation is plentiful and (for the monolinguistic) English is widely spoken.
B. Climate - Using temperature and rainfall as bases, the climate of the country can be divided into two major seasons: (1) the rainy season, from June to November; and (2) the dry season, from December to May. The dry season may be subdivided further into (a) the cool dry season, from December to February; and (b) the hot dry season, from March to May.
C. Geographical Area - Area: 300,000 sq. km. (117,187 sq. mi.).
D. Language - Pilipino (based on Tagalog).
E. Currency With Exchange Rate – Philippines Pesos (PHP)
1.00 PHP = 0.213858 USD
F. Population - 2007 estimate): 91.077 million; estimate for 2006: 89.5 million.
G. Major Cities - (2005 estimate): Capital--Manila (pop. 11.29 million in metropolitan area); other cities--Davao City (1.33 million); Cebu City (0.82 million).
Terrain: Islands, 65% mountainous, with narrow coastal lowlands.
Climate: Tropical, astride typhoon belt.
2. Transportation:
A. Railway - In 1990 one main line from Manila 266 kilometers north to San Fernando and La Union, 474 kilometers south to Legaspi City; 15 kilometers of Light Rail Transit system in Metro Manila.
B. Road - In 1988 some 157,000 kilometers of various type roads; 26,000 kilometers designated national (arterial) roads. Somewhat less than 50 percent of national roads all-weather surfaces.
C. Airports - Total of 301 airports, 237 usable; international facilities at Manila (Ninoy Aquino) and near Cebu City (Mactan). Philippine Airlines serves domestic and international routes.
D. Waterways - 3,219 km; limited to shallow-draft (less than 1.5 m) vessels.
E. Sea ports - 314 private and 622 public seaports, including major ports at Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, and Davao.
3. Economy:
A. Major Manufacturing -
B. Major Export - Approximately US$8.1 billion in 1989. Major products: clothing, electronic components, nickel, coconut products, sugar, pineapples, bananas. Major partners: United States, European Community, Japan.
C. Import - Approximately US$12.1 billion in 1989. Major products: fuels, lubricants, motor vehicles, consumer goods. Major partners: United States, Japan, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, European Community.
D. Major Industry- 33 percent of GNP and approximately 15 percent of work force in 1990. Major industries: textiles, food processing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, wood products, and electronics equipment assembly.
E. Trade balance -
4. Trade Associations, Chamber of Commerce, Trade shows and Exhibitions in Philippines:
Chambers of Commerce
A) PHILIPPINE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
3rd Floor, ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue,
Makati City, Philippine
Tel. No.: (632) 896-4549
Fax: (632) 899-1727
E-mail: pcci@philippinechamber.com
Web: www.philippinechamber.com
B) European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines
19/F Axa Life Center
Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue corner Tindalo Street
Makati City, Metro Manila, 1200
Philippines
Tel: (63 2) 845 1324
Fax: (63 2) 845 1395 to 97
E-mail: info@eccp.com
Web: www.eccp.com
Major Trade Assocations
(1)Association of Philippine Leather Goods Exporters and Manufacturers
340 Amang Rodriguez Avenue Manggahan, PASIG CITY
Contact: Sherwin Yu, President
Tel.: 632 6466011 Fax: 632 6465925
E-mail: aplem@hotmail.com
(2)Association of Consolidated Automotive Parts Producers, Inc. (ACAPP)
2/F Guieb Building, 961 President Quirino Avenue, Malate, Manila
Officer: Mr. Antonio A. Yulo, Officer-in-Charge
Phone: 522-0533; 522-0534
Fax: 525-6664
(3)Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI)
concurrently serving as secretariat to the umbrella organization of the automotive industry associations: Philippine Automotive Federation, Inc.
Suite 1206, 12/F Jollibee Center San Miguel Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Officer: Mr. Vicente Mills, Jr., President
Phone: 632-9733 to 35; 632-9734
Fax: 633-9941
E-mail: campi@pacific.net.ph
Major Trade Shows
A) National Trade Fair
Start Date 19-MAR-08 End Date 23-MAR-08
Venue
SM Megamall
Mandaluyong
Philippines
Event Profile:
National Trade Fair will be a good opportunity to gauge the potential of the African market for overseas companies, and for their domestic counterparts, the best way to promote themselves. In March, NTF will highlight the numerous uses and applications of the coconut tree, bamboo, and the Manila Palm
Highlights:
The low-maintenance plants and trees that grow even in unfertile soils have made their way to the National Trade Fair (NTF) 2006 raw materials showcase
Organizer:
Center for International Trade Expositions & Missions
Golden Shell Pavillion, Roxas Boulevard Cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue,
Pasay, Philippines.
Tel: +(63)-(2)-8323956
Fax: +(63)-(2)-8323965
B) China Machinery & Electronic Products Exhibition
Start Date 12-JUN-08 End Date 14-JUN-08
Venue
World Trade Center Metro Manila
Manila, Metropolitan Manila
Philippines
Event Profile:
China Machinery & Electronic Products Exhibition is your annual access to Chinese manufacturers of machinery and electronic products. China Machinery and Electronic Products Exhibition is a platform for all entrepreneurs who want to do business with Chinese counterparts as well as for end users to have a hands-on experience of consumer products in the above-mentioned fields
Organizer:
Global-Link Marketing & Management Services, Inc.
Unit 1003, Antel 2000 Corporate Center, 121 Valero Street, Salcedo Village,
Makati City, Philippines.
Tel: +(63)-(2)-7508588/8871304
Fax: +(63)-(2)-7508585/8871305
5. Useful links:
Philippines Importers, Dealers of Japanese Used Cars, Construction Machinery & Auto Parts | 
