Philippines to offer VAT refund to foreign tourists
The Philippines is set to launch a value-added tax (VAT) refund programme for foreign tourists in 2024 to attract more visitors, according to the country’s Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
A beach in Boracay Island of the Philippines (Photo: AFP)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippines is set to launch a value-added tax (VAT)refund programme for foreign tourists in 2024 to attract more visitors, accordingto the country’s Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
The programme wasrecently approved by President Ferdinand Marcos, Reuters reported.
The Philippine Governmentcollects a 12% VAT on goods consumed within the country.
The plan is to allowforeigners to get a VAT refund on items they are taking out of the Philippines,similar to what many other countries offer.
The measure is amongthe proposals a private sector advisory council presented to Marcos recently toboost the tourism industry, including improving airport infrastructure andoperations and promoting tourism investment, the PCO said in a statement,noting the President has also approved the launch of an online visa this yearfor Chinese, Indian, Republic of Korean, and Japanese tourists.
The Philippines recorded 2.65 millioninternational visitors last year, who brought in an estimated 3.68 billion USDin revenue, exceeding its 2022 target of 1.7 million tourists, according to theDepartment of Tourism.
Last year's total arrivals comprised 2.02million foreign nationals and 628,445 Filipinos based abroad, comparedwith only 163,879 tourists recorded in 2021 and significantly lowerthan the pre-pandemic annual level of 8.26 million.
The country’s Government aims to boost visitor arrivals this year to 4.8million./.
The Philippine House of Representatives on December 15 approved a bill on the establishment of the "Maharlika Investment Fund" with capital of 2 billion USD, much lower than the original proposal.
A member of the Philippine House of Representatives Marvin Rillo on January 15 said that the country will invest 17.7 billion pesos (322 million USD) in building and upgrading roads to tourism sites, which make the sites more accessible to visitors.
The Philippines will upgrade at least eight airports across the country in 2023 to boost mobility and connectivity, said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on January 19.
The President office of the Philippines recently announced that the country will reduce tariff rates on imported electric vehicles (EV), parts and components, to boost the EV market in the country.
The tax adjustment supports the Malaysian Government’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign food supply chains and to assist domestic farmers, a finance official has said.
The proposed venue is located in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok, featuring eight public sites, including Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal and several nearby parks.
Connectivity is expected to improve further with the completion of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by the end of 2025, facilitating logistics and agricultural exports to Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
Two naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of the main island of Luzon just before dawn, in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Thai Silk & Culture Promotions, the event honors Her Majesty the Queen on her 47th birthday anniversary and promotes Thai craftsmanship on an international stage.
Prensa Latina's recent article on Vietnam’s assurance of smooth and effective transition to a leaner structure highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s latest directions on implementing 28 resolutions regarding the decentralisation and delegation of authority.
The lab focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
Efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships, according to the spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
A beach in Boracay Island of the Philippines (Photo: AFP) 
