Strengthening Japanese business ties
Top local audit and tax advisory services firm KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co. (KPMG RGM&Co.), a member of KPMG International, recently hosted a cocktail celebration for its Japanese clients and the Japan business community here in the Philippines. The special guests were Sec. Ramon M. Lopez of the Department of Trade and Industry and Tsutomu Takahashi, chairman of KPMG Japan. Leading the local team was KPMG RGM&Co. chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Roberto G. Manabat, who welcomed both Sec. Lopez and Takahashi, noting that the event aimed to highlight – and further bolster – the close economic ties between the Philippines and Japan. KPMG RGM&Co. vice chairman, chief operating officer, and head of the Japan desk Emmanuel P. Bonoan then introduced Sec. Lopez, who extolled the strong trade relations between Japan and the Philippines. “Japan is our largest trade partner,” Sec. Lopez emphasized. “The Philippines has a trade surplus with Japan, which is al