Philippines to launch online business registration portal

The Philippines will launch next week its online business registration portal, called Philippine Business Registry or PBR, the Department of Trade and Industry said Friday in an invitation to the media.   The Web-based system would serve as a one-stop shop for transactions involving several government agencies in the process of starting a business.   Entrepreneurs no longer need to be physically present when registering a business. The process eliminates red tape, and streamlines business registration.   Government agencies interlinked under the PBR, include the DTI, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Social Security System, Home Development Mutual Fund, Philippine Health and Insurance Corp., and Securities and Exchange Commission.   With fewer steps and easier and faster processing, the DTI said PBR will strengthen government efforts to give the people the quality of service they deserve.   This would make the Philippines more attractive to investors and eventually improve its global competitiveness ranking.   The DTI is streamlining business permits registration this year, especially in areas that show potential for attracting more investments in tourism and agribusiness.   "Local government units that are considered investment areas are targets this year," Trade Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya told reporters in a press briefing in late February. — VS, GMA News