The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and The Coca-Cola Co. are exploring deeper cooperation to strengthen the Philippines’ food and beverage industry, with sustainability, small enterprise development, and competitiveness high on the agenda.
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque met with Michael Goltzman, Coca-Cola senior vice president for global public policy, environmental sustainability, and social impact, to discuss business conditions and developments in the domestic food and beverage sector.
The meeting focused on areas where government and industry could work together to support investment, innovation, sustainable business practices, and broader participation by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“The discussion also highlighted opportunities to deepen government-industry cooperation as the Philippines advances an environment that supports responsible business, innovation, and inclusive economic growth,” the DTI said.
The talks covered industry policies, sustainability initiatives, MSME development, and measures to improve the competitiveness of local food and beverage businesses.
The engagement also gives the government a closer look at the challenges facing major consumer industries and their supply chains, potentially helping shape policies that are more responsive to business needs.
For MSMEs, stronger links with large companies could open opportunities to participate in supply chains, gain access to markets, and adopt more sustainable business practices.
Coca-Cola’s operations in the Philippines span a wide business ecosystem, connecting manufacturing and distribution with retailers, suppliers, and smaller enterprises.
The DTI, however, said the discussions were exploratory. No specific agreement, program, or investment commitment was announced following the meeting.
Still, the talks underscore the government’s growing reliance on public-private cooperation to strengthen key consumer industries as businesses face rising demands for efficiency, sustainability, and innovation.
For the food and beverage sector, the challenge is not simply to grow sales, but to build stronger supply chains and ensure that smaller businesses can share in that growth.
The DTI said continued engagement with industry players will help identify opportunities to encourage investment, improve competitiveness, and support more inclusive economic growth.
