Synopsis

Projected to continue to be among the fastest-growing economies in Asia, the Philippines offers to investors a strategic business location, an educated and English-speaking workforce, favourable demographics, an inclusive and friendly local culture, and promising opportunities in various industries, including consumer goods, food and beverage, real estate, infrastructure, energy, business process outsourcing, agriculture, and other areas. This presentation will provide an overview of the regulatory framework, and how typical legal issues may be addressed with proper structuring and legal advice.

Speakers

His Excellency Joseph Del Mar Yap
The Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Singapore

His Excellency Joseph del Mar Yap is the Philippine Ambassador to Singapore, a position he assumed in January 2018. Prior to this, Ambassador Yap served as the Special Envoy of the Philippines to Singapore from December 2016 to June 2017. Ambassador Yap has more than four decades of experience in the private sector. He was the President and Chief Executive Officer of various companies in the Filinvest Group, one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines and that has interests in banking, property development, real estate, power generation, agriculture and hospitality. Ambassador Yap holds a Bachelor of Science (with Honours) in Management Engineering from Ateneo de Manila University and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

Commercial Counsellor Cynthia Ricafort
Philippine Embassy, Singapore

Cynthia Ricafort is a commercial diplomat of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). She graduated from the University of the Philippines with a degree in Business Economics, magna cum laude, and did her post-graduate studies in Business and Finance at the University of Munich in Germany. Before joining government where she has over two decades experience in international trade and investment promotions work, she trained with the Deutsche Bank and the Central Bank of Bavaria in Munich, Germany. She speaks four languages and has been posted as commercial representative of DTI in Germany, Canada, Taiwan, Spain, China, and most recently (since Nov 2017), Singapore, where she currently heads the trade section of the Philippine Embassy.

Chew Hwee Yong, Deputy Director for South East Asia, Enterprise Singapore (ESG)

Hwee Yong is the Deputy Director of South East Asia Division in Enterprise Singapore. His primarily role is to assist local companies expand into South East Asia by engineering B2B tie-ups as well as G2G collaborations. Most of Hwee Yong’s career is spent in the economic agencies of Singapore government, including Economic Development Board. On top of industry development work for different sectors, Hwee Yong was also heavily involved in industry revitalisation measures during the 2009 recession as well as the marine & offshore downturn in recent years. Hwee Yong has proven track records in the private sector with seven years of experience, holding various senior management positions in functions including organisational development, business development, as well as subsidiary managing director post. For international governmental and private sector experiences, other than South East Asia, Hwee Yong spent over 10 years in Japan, including three years as Consul for Singapore in Osaka. Hwee Yong has a B Eng from the University of Tokyo and M Eng from Princeton University. Hwee Yong enjoys history.

Albert Vincent Y. (Albert) Yu Chang
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law)

Albert Yu Chang is an experienced business attorney focused on mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions and general corporate matters. As a U.S. and Philippine-trained attorney, he advises clients in relation to inbound and outbound foreign direct investments and cross-border transactions. He has advised clients in various industries, such food and beverage, energy, infrastructure, real estate, automotive, education, healthcare, retail and distribution, franchising, and manufacturing.

Annalisa J. Carlota
Partner*, Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law)

Annalisa is a projects and finance lawyer with 20 years of experience in private practice and as in-house counsel. She specialises in energy projects and financing-related transactions, having worked on energy and infrastructure projects across Asia. Her recent work includes public sector lending transactions for energy, transport, water, natural resources, and other infrastructure projects in Central and West Asia, advising on critical regulatory requirements, as well as advising on diverse issues related to project administration including procurement, contract termination, and sector reorganisation.

*Commencing 15 October 2018.

08:30 – 09:00

Registration

09:00 – 09:15

Welcome Address by His Excellency Joseph Del Mar Yap
The Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Singapore

09:15 – 09:50

Presentation by Commercial Counsellor Cynthia Ricafort
Embassy of the Philippines, Singapore

09:50 – 10:25

Presentation by Chew Hwee Yong, Deputy Director for South East Asia
Enterprise Singapore (ESG)

10:25 – 10:45

Break

10:45 – 11:30

Presentation by Albert Vincent Y. Yu Chang
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law)

11:30 – 12:15

Presentation by Annalisa J. Carlota
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law)

12:15 – 13:00

Q&A/Discussion

Notice

Registration is free and light bites will be provided.

Seats are limited and by invitation only.

Successful registrants will receive a confirmation email one week prior to the event date. 
Please be informed that Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, others on behalf of the firm and third parties may be taking photographs and videos during this seminar. Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP may use such photos in its marketing materials, publications or media.

About Rajah & Tann Asia – www.rajahtannasia.com

Rajah & Tann Asia brings together leading law firms and lawyers in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam, with each offering the highest standards of service to locally-based clients while collectively having the capability to handle the most complex regional and cross-border transactions and to provide excellent legal counsel seamlessly across the region. With over 700 fee earners, all working towards one shared goal, we are lawyers who know Asia and who give our clients home advantage.