1. Swiss Economic Presence in the Philippines

• Around 60 companies with varying degrees of Swiss equity, employing more around 12,000 people are present in the country. In addition, there are a number of family-owned enterprises running small resorts and diving schools scattered around the archipelago.

• 28% of Swiss companies belong to the industrial sector, while 72% are in the service sector.

• Nestlé Philippines’ revenues for 2010 reached CHF 2.12 billion. It celebrates its centennial in the country this 2011. Aside from its 4 manufacturing plants in the Philippines, it expects completion of its new P4.3 billion powdered milk and creamer factory in Batangas by 2012. A shared service center (backroom) for financial and employee services for the ASEAN region, Australia and New Zealand has been established near Manila since 2008, further boosting the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector of the Philippines. 

• Holcim Philippines, Inc. is the leading cement manufacturer of the country. In 2009, revenues reached CHF 488.36 million. Holcim Philippines is listed at the Philippine stock exchange.

• Glencore International AG, together with a group of Philippine investors bought the previously government-owned corporation PASAR in 1999. PASAR is the only copper smelter and refinery in the Philippines and has received various awards for the export of its copper cathodes, which is registered both at LME and SHFE.

• SGS has been among the first foreign-owned companies to benefit from the business process outsourcing capacities of the Philippines by setting up its 24/7 back office operation in Manila in 2003. Verification, valuation, procurement and web services to its SGS affiliates, worldwide, are all being done from its Manila office.

• Other major Swiss companies are ABB, DKSH (Diethelm, Keller, Siber-Hegner), Novartis and Roche.

• The Swiss banks UBS and Credit Suisse have branch offices in Manila with HQs in Hongkong. Though low profile, substantive private banking services are generated by said banks in the country. Moreover, Swiss banks have also been frequently utilized as underwriters by the Philippine Central Bank for its international bond offerings.

• According to the Swiss National Bank, total capital stock of Swiss companies in the Philippines as of end 2006 amounted to CHF 2.07 billion.

• The CEOs of all major Swiss companies in the Philippines are non-Swiss nationals, two of them Filipino women (DKSH and SGS).

• With regard to Corporate Social Responsibility, the Swiss multinational companies maintain high standards and belong to the group of so-called large taxpayers. Of note are Holcim and PASAR which run independent endowment entities or foundations. Holcim Philippines has a flagship CSR project called “galing Mason” , a nationwide certification program which has trained 6,000 masons since inception in 2004, and aims to raise the skills of local masons to improve their chances of employment.. PASAR Foundation supports local communities through their livelihood, medical and educational initiatives. With its coffee program, Nestlé likewise lends its support to key agricultural sectors. 

2. Survey of Swiss companies doing business in the Philippines

• A business poll undertaken by the Embassy in March 2008 among 32 Swiss firms showed that doing business in the country, at least for the past 5 years, has either been satisfactory or very satisfactory for 84% of the participating companies. 
   
• Of total firms surveyed, 69% said actual 2007 profits increased over 2006. Exactly half of the firms said they would hire more in the next six months to one year, and slightly over half at 56% said they would invest more during the same period. 
   
• 62.5% of the surveyed firms were optimistic that 2008 profits will increase over 2007. 
   
• The surveyed firms identified a) English proficiency, b) the availability of trained personnel, and c) the availability of low-cost labor as top three strengths of the Philippines as a business location. 
   
• a) Corruption, b) cumbersome legal systems and procedures, and c) an unstable political environment were identified as top three disadvantages.

3. The Philippine-Swiss Business Council (PSBC)

• The (PSBC), established in late 2003, to date has around 50 members, both Swiss and local enterprises. 

• On August 10, 2006 a MoU on closer cooperation between the PSBC and the Swiss Asian Chamber of Commerce for ASEAN and Korea (SACC) was signed. 

• In September 2007 a Swiss Economic Mission visited Manila, headed by Ambassador Monica Rühl Burzi of seco, and accompanied by a Swiss Business Delegation from SACC. 

• The PSBC, aiming to improve trade and investment relations between Switzerland and the Philippines, successfully organized the Philippines’ participation as Guest Country in MUBA 2009, and later paved it as another exhibit venue for Philippine exporters. In coordination with the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), the PSBC helped showcase the products of the Philippines in said 2009 Basel fair. According to MUBA organizers and various sources, the Philippine Pavillion was, until that time, the best Guest Country Pavillion in MUBA’s history. A total of 40 Philippine exhibitors made up the Philippine Guest Country contingent, out of which 13 represented the tourism sector, headed by the Philippine DOT. As a direct result, Philippine exporters continued to exhibit at MUBA 2010 and 2011.

4. The Swiss Embassy Commercial Section 

• We help Swiss Companies do business in the Philippines…
   
• We are a door-opener for Swiss companies wanting to sell their exports to the Philippines, find local partners or set up a company.
   
• Our unique selling proposition to Swiss firms is our vast network of qualified contacts, made more accessible given the Embassy’s diplomatic standing and representation. These contacts include importers, distributors, potential buyers, manufacturers, legal and finance experts, agents, market consultants, leading business chambers and various Philippine Government offices. We have a contact knowledgeable with your technology and target market in most sectors. If we do not have the existing contact, we can find it for you.
   
• We have up to date market information, and can refer you to our outsource expert-partners for additional market research.
   
• We can advise you on how to cut your cost of doing business.
   
• We can help you with the resolution of business challenges and provide trouble shooting assistance.
   
• We are your local know-how.

Contact us at

The Commercial Section
Swiss Embassy Manila
24/F Equitable Bank Tower
8751 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City
Metro Manila
Tel.: +63 2 757-9000
Fax: +63 2 757-3718
E-mail:  juerg.casserini@eda.admin.ch  and  melanie.zoref@eda.admin.ch