DTI mulls VIP card for foreign expats

The Department of Trade and Industry is looking at giving investors a special VIP (very important person) card in order to lure more foreign businesses.

Investments registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Board of Investments (BOI) declined to P211.78 billion in the first 10 months of the year, down 1.86 percent from P215.78 billion a year ago.

Speaking before Taiwanese businessmen at the Hotel Intercontinental last Friday, Trade Secretary Peter B. Favila said he has already discussed with President Arroyo the possibility of issuing a VIP card.

With the VIP card, foreign businessmen will be given first class treatment as soon as their plane lands in Philippine soil.

“The card will be for VIPs. For instance a CEO or a senior vice president of a multi-national company visiting from their headquarters arrives, we will have a special team meet them at the airport and usher them,” he said.

Favila explained that the investor will be met at the airport and will be given preferential treatment in Customs and Immigration.

Favila likened the VIP card with the APEC card. APEC card holders have special lanes and are not required to line up.

However, Favila said the card will only be issued to senior officials of companies that are already present in the country.

BOI and PEZA have already been tasked to draw up the list of companies that will qualify for the VIP card.

Favila said they are looking at implementing the program soon.