DTI sees Israel, Jordan firms starting work on Philippine deals this year

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it expects most deals signed with companies in Israel and Jordan will start to be implemented within the year.

Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said companies that signed agreements with Philippine firms will start working on their tie-ups soon.

“I believe they are all wanting to implement ASAP. I would say most, if not all of them [will pursue] this year,” Mr. Lopez said in a mobile message on Monday.

He said Jordanian logistics firm Nafith International is scheduled to visit the Philippines this month.

Nafith has expressed an interest in locating a regional office in the Philippines and exploring opportunities in the logistics market.

Last week, Philippine companies signed $83 million worth of deals with firms in Israel during President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s threeday visit.

Israeli firms that committed to work with Philippine counterparts included those engaged in advanced energy optimization management; agriculture and urban farming; prefabricated housing; water desalination; and master-planned real estate development projects; defense, intelligence, cybersecurity, and data mining among others.

Companies from Jordan and the Philippines also signed agreements valued at over $60 million. —