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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider APEC backs integration of investment facilitation measure into WTO

APEC backs integration of investment facilitation measure into WTO

Published May 14, 2025 02:54 pm

At A Glance

  • The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), which includes the Philippines, is calling for the integration of the investment facilitation for development (IFD) agreement into the legal framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO) amid growing barriers and uncertainty facing cross-border investment.
The member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), including the Philippines, have expressed support for a global measure that provides benchmarks to boost the investment and business climate of its members.
In a statement, APEC is calling for the integration of the investment facilitation for development (IFD) agreement into the legal framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO), amid growing barriers and uncertainty facing cross-border investment.
The 21-member bloc said the agreement aims to improve transparency, streamline procedures, and create a more predictable environment for investors, particularly in developing economies.
The need for IFD comes a time when global trade is facing significant shifts fueled by the new tariff policy of the United States (US) government, as well as its ongoing trade war with China.
Notably, both China and the US are APEC members.
APEC committee on trade and investment chair Christopher Tan said the agreement has great potential to improve the investment and business climate across the world.
Tan said this would further reduce the cost of investment, making it easier for investors in all sectors to operate, expand, and contribute to economic growth.
He noted that the IFD agreement will also contribute to APEC’s Putrajaya Vision 2040, which aims to deliver a transparent and predictable trade and investment environment in the Asia-Pacific region.
“Incorporating the IFD agreement into the WTO framework would be a major step forward for global trade and investment, and a win for the region,” said Tan.
Aside from Tan’s committee on trade and investment, APEC’s investment experts’ group also threw support behind the agreement, citing its alignment with the group’s investment facilitation action plan (IFAP).
With APEC’s investment goals embodied under IFAP, the IFD agreement is seen as a key driver to achieve them effectively.
“The effective implementation of the IFD agreement has the potential to significantly boost investment flows, foster inclusive economic growth and narrow the development gap between economies,” said Faizal Mohd Yusof, convenor of APEC’s investment experts’ group.
Yusof said recognizing IFD as part of international trade law would ensure that all economies, regardless of their level of development, can fully benefit.
The Philippines was one of the 12 founding members of the APEC when it was established in 1989.

Related Tags

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) investment facilitation for development (IFD) agreement World Trade Organization (WTO)
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