AS friend and long-standing partner to the Philippines, Australia is calling for partnerships with inclusive businesses to create both development impacts and sustainable commercial returns, while supporting the Philippines’s economic recovery from the pandemic.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has resulted in significant economic impact in countries across the world. In the Indo-Pacific, the economic impacts from travel, trade and social restrictions have been severe. Businesses and households have seen their sources of income disappear overnight, with demand for tourism falling, including disruption to agriculture, manufacturing, and services sectors dramatically reducing revenue and business survival rates across the board.
As both our countries respond to and recover from Covid-19, the role of business in adapting and building back better to support green recovery and more sustainable, resilient economies have become even more important. The private sector is an essential source of finance, insights and ideas to tackle the challenges of the pandemic. That is why engagement with the private sector is an important part of the Australian development-cooperation program in the Philippines.
The Business Partnerships Platform (BPP) supports partnerships between the Australian government and businesses. It encourages the private sector to develop new initiatives, or scale those existing, that advance sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific region and Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.
Thinking creatively
DESPITE the health crisis, more Australian companies in the Philippines are directly supporting Covid-19 recovery efforts. For example, the Australian digital mental-health provider Virtual Psychologist has been offering the country’s first text-based psychology services for corporates and individuals to help meet high demand of mental health services brought about by unprecedented levels of change, stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic.
Through our development cooperation program, Australia’s SaferKidsPH is collaborating with local and international business community such as the Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce or ANZCHAM, Globe Telecom, PLDT-Smart, Facebook and Twitter in creating a safer online environment for children, which aims to protect them against online (and offline) abuse and exploitation.
Australia’s partnership with Philippine Business for Education through A Future that Works program is supporting industries upskilling Philippine work force to best match local and global industry needs to address the effects of digitalization. On the other hand, our country’s Investing in Women is working with the Foundation for a Sustainable Society Inc. to support the growth of women’s small and medium enterprises at this critical time to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 through gender-lens investments that generate not only financial returns, but also economic and social benefits to women.
Accepting applications
WHILE business solutions like these provide dividends for a more resilient future, we need more bold and creative ideas that can contribute to Covid-19 economic recovery in the Philippines.
The BPP can cofinance with businesses which support Filipino economic recovery in skills development, cyber security and digitalization of services—including mental health services. Businesses can apply individually or in a consortium. Interested parties should refer to the BPP web site thebpp.com.au for application guidelines, which provides all the relevant information on eligibility criteria and the process for submitting concept notes. I encourage you to contact applications@thebpp.com.au with any questions or for support.
Deadline for BPP applications is November 4. Successful partnerships will benefit from access to Australia’s networks and expertise, as well as matched funding.
We look forward to working with successful applicants, as business capabilities and innovative ideas can help us to build back better, create livelihood opportunities and enhance gender equality—all of which support green economic recovery and the future of the Philippines.
(Steven J. Robinson AO is the Ambassador of Australia to the Philippines. Follow him on Twitter: @AusAmbPH).