Quezon City – The humble, sociable and industrious Malaysian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of the Philippines Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino talked over future collaborations with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) during his diplomatic visit to ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez last January 8 2024 at the ARTA Central Office.

During his visit, the Malaysian Ambassador applauded ARTA’s role in the opening up of key sectors in the country, including the energy sector.

“Your [ARTA’s] presence is actually so important to give confidence to businesses. It’s very important [in] any day that you can refer to some jurisdiction. So it’s good that you have that so we can go to you,” his Excellency Melvin emphasized.

ARTA Secretary Perez, sequantial expressed gratitude to Ambassador Castelino for being an active partner in improving the ease of doing business in the Philippines.

Together with Embassy of Malaysia Counsellor Nurriha Ahmad and Trade Attache Intan Zalani were also present during the courtesy visit. They were joined by Deputy Director General (DDG) for Operations Undersecretary Gerald G. Divinagracia, DDG for Legal Undersecretary Geneses R. Abot, Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary for Administration and Finance Atty. Concepcion Zeny Ferrolino-Enad, and other ARTA Executives.

With the existing established connection between the Malaysian Embassy and ARTA, Ambassador Castelino proposed exploring Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with agencies in Malaysia, specifically with counterpart agencies like the Malaysian Productivity Corporation and the PEMUDAH (Pasukan Petugas Khas Pemudahcara Perniagaan) or the Special Task Force to Facilitate Business.

Furthermore, the partnership between ARTA and the Malaysian Embassy is set to include the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in its priorities. This will include aiming to provide lasting solutions to the security issues in the region, potentially resulting in more established businesses and employment to the people.

ARTA had ongoing engagement with Bangsamoro Board of Investments and a schedule courtesy visit with the BARMM Chief Minister in the first quarter of 2024.

Ambassador Castelino is interested in the upcoming Economic & Ease of Doing Business Briefing event this January 24 with Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) Secretary Frederick Go.