India, Philippines hold 14th Joint Working Group meeting to strengthen trade and investment ties
New Delhi, June 6
The fourteenth meeting of the India-Philippines Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment was convened on Friday, in Manila, Philippines, the release stated.
Both sides acknowledged the robust growth of bilateral trade between India and the Philippines, which reached USD 3.9 billion in 2025-26, demonstrating a strong upward trajectory. Discussions covered trends in bilateral trade and investment, identification of priority products and services, and promotional activities and cooperation across various fields.
The meeting also explored potential areas of collaboration in diverse sectors such as film, energy, construction and infrastructure, ICT/IT-BPM/AI, and pharmaceuticals. Both sides agreed that deeper cooperation in these areas could deliver sustained long-term benefits, enabling each country to pursue its developmental goals more effectively while reinforcing a framework of mutual support.
Improving the business environment to facilitate trade was another key focus. Discussions covered customs cooperation and facilitation, agricultural cooperation and market access for specific products, and trade settlement in national currencies.
The meeting was co-chaired by Amit Verma, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of India, and Allan B. Gepty, Undersecretary, Department of Trade and Industry, International Trade Group. Representatives of concerned Ministries, Departments, and Organisations also participated through video conferencing.
The meeting also discussed the early conclusion of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Review, and the engagement for a bilateral India-Philippines Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) thereafter.
Overall, the meeting underscored the strategic importance of strengthening bilateral economic ties, reaffirming both countries' commitment to building a more dynamic and mutually beneficial partnership.
On the sidelines of the 14th JWGTI, an interaction with Indian businesses operating in the Philippines was held on 04 June 2026, providing a platform for discussions on trade, investment, market opportunities, and ways to further deepen India-Philippines commercial ties.
The next meeting of the India-Philippines Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment (JWGTI) will be held in New Delhi, India. The JWGTI meeting served as a platform for India and the Philippines to exchange perspectives on global, regional, and bilateral developments, with a strong emphasis on enhancing trade in goods and services and investment ties.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone who works in IT, I'm excited about the AI and ICT cooperation mentioned here. Indian tech firms have so much to offer the Philippines, and vice versa. Hope the PTA moves forward quickly to reduce tariffs and boost our digital exports.
Finally a step in the right direction! The inclusion of trade settlement in national currencies is a game-changer. Reduces dependency on the dollar and makes transactions cheaper. I hope they also discuss easier visa norms for business travelers to really boost this partnership.
Good move but I wish the government focused more on resolving the AITIGA review issue. ASEAN trade agreements have been slow for years, and our businesses in sectors like textiles and agriculture face stiff competition from Vietnam and Thailand. Hope the PTA brings concrete benefits, not just talk.
India-Philippines partnership has huge potential! They love Bollywood movies and Indian pharmaceuticals there. If we can streamline customs cooperation and reduce red tape, this $3.9 billion could easily double in a few years. Kudos to our diplomats for the proactive approach.
Interesting to see the focus on construction and infrastructure. With India's expertise in highways and renewable energy, and Philippines' need for resilient infrastructure after typhoons, this is a win-win. The business interaction on the sidelines shows they're serious about implementation.
N We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.