The Philippines and Israel plan to work together on critical minerals processing and the artificial intelligence (AI) technology in line with the United States-led Pax Silica initiative.
In a statement yesterday, the Board of Investments (BOI) said managing head Ceferino Rodolfo met with Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs director general Eden Bar Tal on May 1 to discuss the two countries’ strategic cooperation on critical minerals processing and AI technology ecosystem, in connection with the US-led Pax Silica initiative and critical minerals frameworks.
Bar Tal chairs the governmental steering committee tasked with developing Israel’s national strategy on critical minerals.
The meeting follows the Philippines’ recent accession to the Pax Silica alliance, which aims to build resilient supply chains for AI and semiconductors.
Israel is also among the countries that are part of the Pax Silica initiative.
Under the Pax Silica initiative, the Philippines and the US recently announced a plan to establish a 4,000-acre AI-native industrial acceleration hub in New Clark City in Tarlac.
During the meeting, the parties explored a possible bilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) on critical minerals cooperation, including mineral processing, research and development.
The MOU being explored will also cover ways to leverage the Philippines’ semiconductor and microchip manufacturing sector to support AI development.
Israel has advanced mining, water and environmental technologies that can help the Philippines move up the value chain and build higher-value industries and products.