Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go said the Philippines could still be Asia's "shopping hub" if the government implements an electronic visa (e-visa) and a value-added tax (VAT) refund scheme for foreign tourists.

Speaking to reporters in Pasay City on Thursday, Aug. 29, the administration's economic czar said the Philippines has always had the potential to be the "shopping capital of Asia."

"We need e-visas to become a shopping capital. That means you're attracting visitors from all over the world to come here and enjoy shopping," he said.

"So we need e-visas. We need to make it easier for travelers to come to the Philippines," he added.

Go likewise expressed support for the Philippine Retailers Association’s (PRA) proposal to introduce VAT refunds for non-resident tourists. The proposed VAT refund falls in the range of 60 to 90 percent, aligning with practices in other Asian countries.

“Every country in Asia offers VAT refunds to tourists; we do not. Implementing this is crucial if we want to become a top shopping destination," he said.

"These are what you call very fundamental to becoming a shopping capital," he added.

In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last month, President Marcos said that his administration's infrastructure and digital reforms include e-gates and e-visas to make travel to the country more convenient.

"The implementation of the Philippine E-Visa will be next in our digital transformation agenda," he said.

Also last month, Marcos ordered a study to determine how the government can provide seamless e-visa transactions for Indian nationals to help boost tourism in the Philippines.

Under the current e-visa system, Indian nationals are still required to make a personal appearance before the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi, reducing the efficiency of the Philippine e-visa system.

Currently, the e-visa system for Indian nationals is in beta testing, piloted only for walk-in clients of the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi.

The Private Sector Advisory Council-Tourism Sector Group (PSAC-TSG) stressed the importance of improving the e-visa system for Indian nationals as they are “repeat visitors” who spend an average of eight nights and spend $100 per person per day in the Philippines.

It added that 78 percent of Indian nationals stay in hotels. Their activities include shopping, sightseeing, beach holidays, diving, visiting friends and relatives, and investing in business.

The group said India’s fast-growing economy and rising middle class are projected to help outbound trips reach 30 million by 2025.