In a significant move to bolster international investor confidence, officials from the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), led by Secretary Ernesto V. Perez, paid a courtesy visit to Her Excellency Marie Fontanel, Ambassador of France to the Philippines.
The meeting, held at the Ambassador’s official residence, served as a high-level platform to align ARTA’s mandates with the needs of the French business community. Secretary Perez outlined the Authority’s dual strategy of empowerment—capacitating agencies to comply with the Ease of Doing Business Act (RA 11032)—and enforcement, which includes investigating bottlenecks and filing cases against erring officials.
Ambassador Fontanel highlighted key areas where French investors face operational hurdles, emphasizing the need for greater predictability and efficiency.
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Regulatory Hurdles: Challenges in licensing, registration, and dispute resolution.
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Sector-Specific Delays: A call for clearer requirements and accelerated approvals for pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.
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Fiscal Environment: Concerns regarding high tax rates and unpredictable regulatory shifts.
In response, Secretary Perez reassured the delegation that the Philippine government is aggressively pursuing automation and digitalization to eliminate duplicative requirements. ARTA emphasized that active private-sector consultation remains a cornerstone of their reform strategy.
Despite existing market challenges, the French delegation expressed a strong commitment to the Philippine market. A notable highlight of the discussion was the French Chamber of Commerce’s interest in becoming “ARTA Champions.” > “French companies remain optimistic about the Philippines’ potential. We are eager to collaborate on transparency initiatives and support the government’s drive to create a more competitive, investor-friendly environment,” stated Ambassador Fontanel.
The meeting was attended by key leaders from both sectors to ensure actionable outcomes:
| ARTA Delegation | French Delegation |
| Sec. Ernesto V. Perez, Director General | H.E. Marie Fontanel, Ambassador of France |
| Dir. Marbida L. Marbida, Better Regulations Office | Mr. Matisse Gauthier, Deputy Head of Economic Service |
| Dir. Grace L. Fernandez, Compliance Monitoring | Mr. Kevin Charuel, Managing Director, CCI France |
| Atty. Concepcion Ferrolino-Enad, Enforcement | |
| Atty. Leonardo O. Tapia, Legal & Public Assistance |
Ambassador Fontanel concluded the visit by citing the Philippines’ rich natural resources and burgeoning trade opportunities as key drivers for future growth. ARTA and the French Embassy have committed to ongoing dialogue to ensure that reforms translate into tangible ease for European enterprises operating in the country.
