The Department of Finance (DOF) exchanged best practices with Portugal’s Ministry of Finance to enhance the Philippines’ tax system and support national development.
The collaboration followed an invitation from Ambassador Paul Raymund P. Cortes of the Philippine Embassy in Portugal.
The Philippine delegation included TREM Undersecretary Renato E. Reside Jr., PDMSG OIC Undersecretary Niño Raymond B. Alvina, NTRC Executive Director Mark Lester L. Aure, and NTRC Deputy Executive Director Michael F. Ricaza.
From Oct. 7 to 14, 2024, the delegation held bilateral meetings with Portuguese counterparts led by Deputy Director General of Tax and Customs Authority Fernando Campos Pereira.
Discussions focused on partnerships in training, research, capacity-building, and educational opportunities for the DOF and its attached bureaus.
The mission provided a platform for the Philippines to share its experiences, opportunities, and challenges in adapting to increased e-commerce and digitalization.
Both parties also explored tax policy, tax administration, and modernizing collection systems.
The delegation held additional meetings on trade and investment with Portuguese Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Dr. Nuno Sampaio, AICEP Chief Executive Dr. Joana Gaspar, and officials from the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture.
Educational and research collaborations were also explored with officials from Universidade de Lisboa, Universidade Lusófona, and Filipino graduate scholars from the Erasmus Program studying in Portuguese universities.
