QUEZON CITY -- Malaysian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of the Philippines Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino discussed future collaborations with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) during his courtesy visit to ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez last 8 January 2024, at the ARTA Central Office.
During his visit, the Malaysian Ambassador commended ARTA’s role in the opening up of key sectors in the country, including the energy sector.
“Your [ARTA’s] presence is actually so important to give confidence to businesses. It’s very important [in] any day that you can refer to some jurisdiction. So it’s good that you have that so we can go to you," he said.
ARTA Secretary Perez, in turn, thanked Ambassador Castelino for being an active partner in improving the ease of doing business in the Philippines.
Following an already established connection between the Malaysian Embassy and ARTA, Ambassador Castelino proposed exploring Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with agencies in Malaysia, specifically with counterpart agencies like the Malaysian Productivity Corporation and the PEMUDAH (Pasukan Petugas Khas Pemudahcara Perniagaan) or the Special Task Force to Facilitate Business.
Moving forward, the partnership between ARTA and the Malaysian Embassy is set to include the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in its priorities. This will include aiming to provide lasting solutions to the security issues in the region, potentially resulting in more established businesses and employment to the people.
ARTA has an already existing engagement with Bangsamoro Board of Investments and a scheduled courtesy visit with the BARMM Chief Minister in the first quarter of 2024.
Ambassador Castelino was also quick to express his interest in the upcoming Economic & Ease of Doing Business Briefing on 24 January with Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) Secretary Frederick Go.
Embassy of Malaysia Counsellor Nurriha Ahmad and Trade Attache Intan Zalani were also present during the courtesy visit. They were joined by Deputy Director General (DDG) for Operations Undersecretary Gerald G. Divinagracia, DDG for Legal Undersecretary Geneses R. Abot, Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary for Administration and Finance Atty. Concepcion Zeny Ferrolino-Enad, and other ARTA Executives. (ARTA)
