14th India Philippines JWGTI Meeting on Trade and Investment

10 Jun 2026 CW Team

Both sides noted that bilateral trade had grown to USD 3.9 bn in 2025–26 and underscored a strong upward trajectory. Discussions addressed recent trends in trade and investment, identification of priority products and services, and promotional activities to deepen commercial ties. The agenda explored collaboration in diverse sectors including film, energy, construction and infrastructure, ICT and IT-BPM with artificial intelligence applications, and pharmaceuticals.

A focus of talks was on measures to improve the business environment and to facilitate trade, with customs cooperation and facilitation featuring prominently. Agricultural cooperation and market access for specific products were examined alongside mechanisms for trade settlement in national currencies. Delegates discussed the early conclusion of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement review and agreed to engage on a bilateral India-Philippines preferential trade agreement thereafter.

On the sidelines, an interaction with Indian businesses operating in the Philippines was held on four June 2026 to discuss market opportunities and ways to deepen commercial ties. The working group meeting served as a forum to exchange perspectives on global, regional and bilateral developments and to reinforce investment links. Both capitals reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen economic ties and to pursue closer cooperation that supports long-term development objectives. The next meeting will be held in New Delhi.

The fourteenth meeting of the India-Philippines Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment was convened on five June 2026 in Manila and was co-chaired by Amit Verma, Joint Secretary at the Department of Commerce of India, and Allan B. Gepty, Undersecretary at the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry. Representatives of concerned ministries, departments and organisations took part in person and via video conferencing. The meeting provided a formal platform to align priorities and review the bilateral trade agenda. Both sides noted that bilateral trade had grown to USD 3.9 bn in 2025–26 and underscored a strong upward trajectory. Discussions addressed recent trends in trade and investment, identification of priority products and services, and promotional activities to deepen commercial ties. The agenda explored collaboration in diverse sectors including film, energy, construction and infrastructure, ICT and IT-BPM with artificial intelligence applications, and pharmaceuticals. A focus of talks was on measures to improve the business environment and to facilitate trade, with customs cooperation and facilitation featuring prominently. Agricultural cooperation and market access for specific products were examined alongside mechanisms for trade settlement in national currencies. Delegates discussed the early conclusion of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement review and agreed to engage on a bilateral India-Philippines preferential trade agreement thereafter. On the sidelines, an interaction with Indian businesses operating in the Philippines was held on four June 2026 to discuss market opportunities and ways to deepen commercial ties. The working group meeting served as a forum to exchange perspectives on global, regional and bilateral developments and to reinforce investment links. Both capitals reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen economic ties and to pursue closer cooperation that supports long-term development objectives. The next meeting will be held in New Delhi.

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