DBM Secretary Benjamin Diokno gave a talk today at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) on Sustainable Connectivity and Quality Infrastructure held in Mita Conference Hall, Tokyo, Japan.

In his talk on “Institutional Connectivity  of Transportation and Customs between Asia and Europe”, Secretary Diokno discussed the challenges and opportunities arising from the transportation and customs sectors for both regions.

“In this age of globalization, when it is necessary to look beyond national and even regional boundaries for opportunities, both for business and leisure, the coordination of infrastructure and customs rules and procedures is necessary to spur further economic growth and development,” the Secretary said.

He cited “[f]altering infrastructure and costly trade barriers in the form of tedious customs rules and procedures” as having “an adverse impact on the vastly interconnected supply-chains of industries, businesses, and the welfare of everyday people”.

According to him, “countries that experience geographic barriers with historically weak trade and logistics facilitation, complex customs rules and procedures, and poor infrastructure” stand to gain the most from “economic integration”.

The budget chief also highlighted the ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program to assure the audience that the Philippines is putting an end to a “historical underinvestment in infrastructure”, spending an average only 2.6% of GDP.

“We plan to spend between PhP 8 to 9 trillion or JPY 16.7 to 18.8 trillion for infrastructure development until 2022,” Secretary Diokno said.

Companies showcase Japanese technology to DBM Secretary

          Relatedly, Secretary Diokno attended two company visits as side activities during his trip in Japan.

          His visit to Komatsu Limited, a company that manufactures infrastructure and industrial equipment,  was focused on “Smart Construction”, a service that incorporates the worksite into the Internet of Things (IoT), connecting everything on the site, and enabling its “visualization” in 3D.

          Meanwhile, NEC Corporation showcased a catalogue ofinformation technology services and products.

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