The 14th meeting of the India-Philippines Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment convenes in Manila, with bilateral trade reaching USD 3.9 billion in 2025-26.
The 14th meeting of the India-Philippines Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment (JWGTI) was held in Manila, Philippines on June 5, 2026. The meeting was co-chaired by, Shri Amit Verma, Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Allan B. Gepty, Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, International Trade Group of the Philippines, with representatives of concerned ministries, departments and organisations participating via video conferencing.
Both sides acknowledged the robust growth of bilateral trade, which reached USD 3.9 billion in 2025-26. Discussions covered bilateral trade and investment trends, identification of priority products and services, and promotional activities and cooperation across diverse sectors including film, energy, construction and infrastructure, ICT/IT-BPM/AI and pharmaceuticals. Other areas of discussion included customs cooperation and facilitation, agricultural cooperation, market access for specific products and trade settlement in national currencies.
The meeting also discussed the early conclusion of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Review and the subsequent engagement for a bilateral India-Philippines Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). On the sidelines of the meeting, an interaction with Indian businesses operating in the Philippines was held on June 4, 2026, providing a platform for discussions on trade, investment and market opportunities. The next meeting of the JWGTI will be held in New Delhi. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to building a more dynamic and mutually beneficial bilateral economic partnership.
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)
