Led by Secretary Gina Raimondo of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the rest of U.S. President Joe Biden’s delegation to the Philippines are:

• Steven Brown, President, GreenFire Energy, Inc.
• Sapna Chadha, Vice President, Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier, Google Asia Pacific
• Narsingh Chaudhary, President, Asia Pacific and India, Black & Veatch Corp.
• Chris Clark, Chairman, Asia Pacific, Visa Inc.
• Mark Ein, Chairman, President’s Export Council
• Charlie Ergen, Co-Founder/Chairman of the Board, EchoStar/DISH
• Kimberly Getgen, Founder and CEO, InnovationForce
• Brett Hart, President, United Airlines
• Laura Lane, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, United Parcel Service (UPS)
• Rich Lesser, Global Chair, Boston Consulting Group
• David Luboff, Partner, Head of Asia Pacific Infrastructure and Co-Head of KKR Asia Pacific, KKR
• Thomas L. Marquis, Co-Founder, Vice President and Director of Marketing, Marquis
• Scott McHugo, CEO and Chairman of the Board, Sol-Go
• Sara Murphy, President, Capital One Philippines
• Ted Osius, President and CEO, U.S.-ASEAN Business Council
• Anne-Marie Padgett, Regional President, East Asia and Pacific, Bechtel
• Allan Pineda (aka Apl.de.Ap), Founder, Apl.de.Ap Foundation International
• Kawal Preet, President of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa Region, FedEx
• Shamina Singh, Founder and President, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, and Executive Vice President, Sustainability, Mastercard
• Mary Snapp, Vice President, Global Strategic Initiatives, Office of the President, Microsoft Corp.
• Eric Starr, Co-Founder and CEO, UltraPass ID
• Francesco Venneri, Founder and CEO, Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp.

GreenFire Energy Inc.’s advanced geothermal systems can jumpstart the Marcos administration in its National Renewable Energy Program, and help address the ongoing power shortages in areas like Mindoro and Panay Island.

On the other hand, tech giants Google and Microsoft can help in the country’s digital transformation. Visa and Mastercard, for their part, can help facilitate the expansion of e-commerce in the Philippines.

This PTIM is part of President Biden’s commitment to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the latter’s working visit to the U.S. in May 2023.

President Marcos’s foreign travels are focused on bringing into the country foreign direct investments that will generate jobs and hasten the Philippines’ economic growth and development.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE:FDX) released its annual economic impact report, analyzing the company’s worldwide network and role in fueling innovation during its 2023 fiscal year (FY 2023). Produced in consultation with Dun & Bradstreet (NYSE: DNB), a leading provider of business decisioning data and analytics, the study demonstrates the positive impact FedEx has on individuals and communities around the globe — otherwise known as the ‘FedEx Effect.’

“FedEx has helped shape global supply chains and the e-commerce revolution over five decades by transforming the way businesses exchange goods, services, and ideas — all while continuously exceeding the evolving needs of our customers,” said Raj Subramaniam, President and CEO, FedEx Corporation.

“This report underscores our significant contributions to the economy and dedication to making a positive difference in the communities where we operate.”The report reveals that FedEx contributed more than $80 billion in direct impact to the global economy in FY 2023, despite recent economic pressures. This activity reflects the scale of the network FedEx has developed and the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance its innovative services that help businesses of all sizes connect with customers and strengthen their operations.

AMEA impact FedEx Express serves more than 100 markets across the AMEA region. The study found that with its extensive network, FedEx Express contributed 0.3% of net economic output in the Transportation, Storage, and Communications sector in the region during FY 2023. Across all sectors of the AMEA economy, FedEx Express contributed 0.02% of total net economic output, which grew approximately 6% in FY 2023 to $44 trillion.

The company’s impact also included $2.7 billion in indirect contributions to the regional economy in FY 2023. Among specific industries in AMEA, FedEx Express indirectly contributed an estimated $1 billion to the critical $9 trillion Manufacturing sector. The company’s indirect contribution to the Transportation, Storage, and Communications sector was estimated as $772 million.“

The AMEA region has an increasingly prominent position in the global economy. We are committed to supporting the growth we are seeing here by investing in our facilities and network. Both directly and indirectly, our work supports a growing number of jobs in the wider economy, and we want that to continue,” said Kawal Preet, President, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa region, FedEx Express.

“Our focus is on our customers and creating greater access to the possibilities that global trade brings. We believe that creating an even more connected and sustainable future will strengthen the FedEx Effect for team members, customers, suppliers, and communities across the region.”

The FedEx economic footprint in the region continues to grow.

FedEx spent $3.7 billion with suppliers in the AMEA region in CY 2022.

FedEx supplier spending makes a significant contribution to the small- and medium-sized business (SAM) market.

The number of small business jobs supported by FedEx supply chain spending increased the most in AMEA and Europe, with both regions recording a 19% increase. In AMEA, 50% of FedEx supply chain spending went to SAMs.

FedEx Express announced plans to invest in additional capacity by establishing the new South China Operations center in Guangzhou.

FedEx opened several new facilities in the region, including a new pickup, delivery, and self-pickup/drop-off station in Taiwan; a new warehouse in Batam, Indonesia; and a new domestic hub in Adelaide, Australia that also supports international air freight shipments.

The newly opened FedEx air gateway at Incheon International Airport in South Korea has double the package-sorting capacity of the previous facility and additional refrigeration chambers to support cold-chain shipments.

FedEx Express is digitizing its operations to develop its smart logistics network. This includes investing in an artificial intelligence-powered sorting robot at its South Pacific regional hub in Singapore in December 2022. FedEx announced plans to open its first Advanced Capability Community (ACC) in Hyderabad, India to support the development of technological and digital innovations that enable FedEx to provide even greater value in the global supply chain ecosystem.

Giving impact

The report reveals that FedEx donated $58.6 million globally in FY 2023 to charities and local non-profits in the communities where its team members live and work. In AMEA, this includes environmental programs, childhood education, entrepreneurship, and healthcare initiatives to help improve lives.

In April 2023, more than 1,000 FedEx volunteers and their families across 22 AMEA markets participated in 50 days of Caring undertaking a variety of sustainability and environmental-protection activities, including tree plantations, beach, and park clean-ups, and hosting educational seminars on eco-living/eating, waste segregation, road safety, and sustainable logistics.FedEx is committed to connecting the world responsibly, through its stated goal of achieving carbon-neutral operations by 2040 and pursuit of investments in renewable energy to power its operations.

FedEx celebrated 50 years of operations on April 17, 2023. The company has the most extensive transportation network in the world, providing services to more than 220 countries and territories.

Additionally, FedEx employs over 500,000 people across more than 5,000 facilities and moves approximately 14.5 million packages per day. Read the full FY 2023 FedEx Economic Impact Report and further explore the FedEx Effect across the AMEA region at fedex.com/economicimpact.

At no extra charge, customers and online shoppers can now enjoy greater flexibility and convenience by having the option of picking up their FedEx packages at any one of the 19 stations along LRT Line 1, traversing Quezon City, Caloocan, Manila, and Pasay. Each self-collection point has 66 lockers that are available for package collection. Through the use of FedEx Delivery Manager International (FDMi), small- and medium- size enterprises and e-commerce businesses can have shipments delivered to any of the LRT Line 1 stations closest to their customers for pick-up at their convenience, making their shipping experience easier.

“We are constantly enhancing our service to deliver outstanding experiences for our customers by making it easier and more convenient for them. The introduction of our self-collection service at the LRT stations will bring significant benefits to customers, allowing them to decide how they want to receive their packages. Offering greater flexibility and choice is particularly important amidst the fast-growing e-commerce market,” said Maribeth Espinosa, managing director of FedEx Express Philippines.

As one of the fastest growing e-commerce markets in Southeast Asia, the Philippines’ e-commerce sector is expected to surge by 22.9 percent year-on-year in 20231, as increasing number of consumers have shifted from offline to online purchases. Amid this trend, online shoppers are demanding faster and more convenient ways to receive their packages, while unsatisfactory delivery leads to e-tailers losing their customers’ trust in them. The self-collection option not only provides a hassle-free delivery solution for customers, but also strengthens the e-commerce logistics ecosystem in the Philippines.

Created by FedEx Dataworks, the innovative cloud-based data engine uses near-real-time FedEx network data to estimate CO2e emissions. Customers can view emissions data for individual tracking numbers as well as aggregate historical data for their accounts. Data displayed in the tool includes mode of transport, service type, and country or territory for all eligible FedEx Express® shipments.

With sustainability being a strategic priority for businesses of all kinds, FedEx® Sustainability Insights is a tool that can give customers better visibility of emissions within their supply chains and support reporting and strategic future planning.

“Environmental stewardship and transparent sustainability reporting is now a universal business imperative. At the same time, consumers also consider sustainability in their decision-making for e-commerce purchases,” said Kawal Preet, president of Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa region, FedEx Express. “FedEx® Sustainability Insights gives our customers direct access to emissions data they need to help them decide how to meet consumer expectations and drive their own business and sustainability efforts forward.”

The new offering complements FedEx ongoing efforts to achieve carbon neutral operations by 2040. FedEx is focusing on areas such as electrification of FedEx pickup and delivery vehicles; more efficient facilities, fuels, and fleets; and investments in natural carbon capture. FedEx® Sustainability Insights will support its work toward this goal by providing insights into further opportunities for network efficiency with data-backed predictive insights and modelling.

Effective May 2, 2023, customers will now have access to FedEx International Economy® (IE) services connecting the Asia Pacific to 170 markets worldwide. The IE service typically delivers within APAC in two to five business days* and to major markets in Europe and the U.S. in four to five business days*. Customers who want to ship less urgent shipments with day-definite delivery will get the same reliability as FedEx time-definite International Priority service. 

  At the same time, FedEx will also improve transit times for FedEx International Priority® (IP) in certain trade lanes. Customers can use IP to ship critical and urgent shipments and enjoy delivery between one to two business days to major markets and territories worldwide. All the enhancements come with FedEx door-to-door, customs-cleared services. *

              “Businesses, especially small businesses, are looking for ways to introduce efficiencies that can help their bottom line, particularly in this economic environment,” said Kawal Preet, president of Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa, FedEx Express. “With more customers, particularly online consumers, ranking delivery speed as a less important factor in placing an order, businesses are looking for differentiated solutions. This is part of our continued efforts to deliver greater value and an outstanding experience for our customers.”

              “Not everything needs to be delivered the next day. Day-defined delivery is what more of our customers are looking for and our IE service enables us to address customers’ changing needs and expectations to select the service that adds the most value to their business,” said Salil Chari, senior vice president of Marketing and Customer Experience for the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa region, FedEx Express.           Please visit FedEx shipping service site to learn more about FedEx full portfolio of services along with the rates and transit time.

The pandemic has disrupted the world, and business operations halted that inevitably led to logistic and supply chain and pushed the cost of good higher.

In the recent study, FedEx Corp. released the findings from its 2022 report that analyzed the company’s impact on the global economy with key regional and market-specific analyses from around the world at the conclusion of its 2022 fiscal year (FY 2022). The report, produced in consultation with Dun & Bradstreet (NYSE: DNB), a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics, for the first time analyzed the impact FedEx has on economies around the world. Over the past 49 years, FedEx has expanded its services to more than 220 countries and territories and invested in a global network enabling businesses of all sizes to access and grow the global economy. 

The report found that FedEx played an integral role in helping businesses recover from the pandemic while overcoming strained supply chains and economic challenges. With nearly 550,000 employees worldwide, FedEx moved an average of 16 million shipments each day through its 5,000 facilities in FY 2022. The company’s network optimization and investments improved efficiency and capacity for FedEx customers.

“All around the world, FedEx helped individuals, businesses, and communities emerge from the pandemic by moving goods and providing services that connect us and power the global economy,” said Raj Subramaniam, President and CEO, FedEx Corporation. “The report illustrates the ongoing and important work we do every day, including supporting small- and medium-sized businesses which are the backbone of our local communities. We call this, the ‘FedEx Effect.’”

Measuring the FedEx Effect:

The shipping and logistics company plays a role in fueling innovation, creating, and supporting local jobs, as well as helping lift individuals and their communities regionally and in major markets around the world.

• FedEx worked with 360,000 suppliers globally who employed more than 16.5 million individuals. These businesses, many of which are small businesses, created significant economic activity within their local or regional markets and had a combined annual revenue of $700 billion. 

• Small businesses made up 88% of the FedEx supply chain, and more than half of the FedEx supply chain spend in each region went to small businesses—which collectively supported roughly 810,000 small business jobs around the world.
• In FY 2022, FedEx invested $6.8 billion—a 15% increase over FY 2021—in facility improvements, network optimization and infrastructure improvements, which correlated to direct economic growth in the respective markets.

Impact Across Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (AMEA)

The company’s presence in Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa serves more than 100 countries and territories in a highly inter-connected region that is playing an increasingly prominent role as a driver of global trade. To support the region’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, FedEx made strategic investments, as outlined in the report, that contributed to a 13% increase in employment, supporting more than 58,000 jobs beyond its 37,000 team members in the AMEA region. 

“Through our continuous commitment to the region we have helped support hundreds of thousands of businesses and communities still recovering from the pandemic,” said Kawal Preet, regional president, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (AMEA), FedEx Express. “Our investments in our hubs in Guangzhou, Osaka and Dubai enable us to meet demand and optimize routes for our customers as supply chains fluctuate. Our new and improved facilities like the Clark gateway facility in the Philippines, as well as the consolidation at our Delhi hub creates greater access to emerging markets and increases efficiency.”

FedEx economic footprint in the region continues to grow. 

• The company recently established a direct commercial presence in Cambodia as well as in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. 
• FedEx announced plans to expand its gateway facility in Guangzhou, China by establishing a new South China Operations Center. 
• In India, FedEx set up a new US$2 million international clearance gateway at Bangalore airport and consolidated and expanded its multi-million-dollar hub at Delhi International airport.
• In Japan, FedEx spent $511 million with businesses in Japan in FY2022. FedEx Express shipment volume from Japan to several key international regions increased substantially between calendar year 2021 and 2022: 54.8% towards United States, 47.5% towards Europe, 37.4% towards Americas, and 18.5% towards MEISA. 
• FedEx broke ground on a new hub at Dubai South’s Logistics District to enhance regional and global operational efficiencies, The new regional hub, located in proximity to Dubai World Central Airport, will incorporate state-of-the-art technologies and will be developed with sustainable operations and energy use.

FedEx is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, an important contributor to recent accolades including ranking on the World’s Best Workplaces list compiled by Fortune magazine in 21^st place and being named as one of the best places to work in markets in AMEA including Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. In October 2021, Kawal Preet signed the CEO statement of support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles established by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and the United Nations Global Compact.  

Giving Impact 

The report shows that in FY 2022, FedEx donated over $86 million globally to charities and local non-profits in the communities where its team members live and work. In the AMEA region this includes environmental programs, childhood education, entrepreneurship, and healthcare initiatives to help improve lives. The company also served as a critical conduit for food aid deliveries to residents in Shanghai, China during COVID-19 lockdowns in the city and delivered vaccines and critical medical supplies to India, Korea, and Vietnam among others. 

FedEx is committed to connecting the world responsibly, through its stated goal of carbon-neutral operations by 2040 and pursuit of investments in renewable energy to power its operations.

Read the full FedEx Economic Impact Report and explore the FedEx Effect in communities and regions around the world.

“The new flights coming directly to Clark will be a gamechanger for local businesses, especially e-commerce traders. These key Asian destinations – Japan, Singapore, and South Korea – are some of the top export destinations for the Philippines.  As global economies begin to recover, the Clark Gateway opens up opportunities for Philippine players, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises,” said Ranny Chua, Acting Managing Director, FedEx Express Philippines. “As the network for what’s next, we are continually optimizing our lanes and providing efficient cross-border logistics solutions to meet the needs of our customers,” continued Chua.

These flights are the latest addition to the company’s robust network that will enable FedEx to expand its airfreight capacity by over 700,000 pounds per week and provide its customers with direct connectivity between North Pacific and Southeast Asian markets.

For this lane, FedEx is using fuel-efficient Boeing 767 freighters and will operate four days a week with two loops – the Northern & Southern Loop. The Northern Loop connects Osaka, Japan and Incheon, South Korea to the Clark Gateway four times a week. With the Southern Loop, in addition to the existing flights to China, FedEx has added stops in Singapore four times a week, connecting the city-state directly to Clark.

FedEx Express, announced a new strategic alliance with eBay, a leading e-commerce marketplace platform for fast-growing and established brands worldwide. eBay sellers in the Asia Pacific region can now sign up for a FedEx account and gain access to the full spectrum of FedEx e-commerce delivery service options at competitive rates.

Marketplace sales account for 67% of e-commerce globally, with the Asia Pacific e-commerce market expected to grow by about 14% annually, reaching US $352.68 trillion by 2030.  This collaboration will help propel e-merchants – especially small business owners – amidst booming e-commerce in the region, driven by consumers’ changing behaviors toward shopping online accelerated by the pandemic. 

Through this collaboration, eBay sellers will be able to provide their customers with a more premium delivery experience powered by FedEx shipping solutions. Key benefits under the current strategic program include: 

• Competitive rates: eBay sellers will receive competitive discount rates on FedEx Express^Ⓡ services.   

• Enhanced shipping capabilities: FedEx offers eBay sellers a wide range of services that are critical for cross-border e-commerce, including FedEx Electronic Trade Documents; FedEx Home Delivery, which now delivers seven days a week; a portfolio of flexible, simple returns options; and the FedEx Hold-at-Location which gives consumers a choice to have their packages delivered conveniently and safely to various grocery stores, pharmacies and FedEx Office locations.   

• Direct contact with FedEx: eBay sellers will get their own FedEx account to use any shipping solution from the vast portfolio that FedEx provides. Additionally, eBay sellers can contact FedEx directly for pickups and billing questions, as well as to order shipping forms or other delivery supplies, reroute packages and manage their My FedEx Rewards account.

“E-commerce has become the new growth engine behind the APAC economy. Logistics services providers like FedEx, therefore, play a critical role in helping e-commerce businesses deliver seamless customer experiences from online to the physical world,” said Kawal Preet, president of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) at FedEx Express. “We’re thrilled about this collaboration with eBay that enables easier access to more markets through our international logistics services. By providing international shipping solutions at highly competitive rates, we are helping eBay sellers make the most out of our premium services and products as they continue expanding overseas.”

“eBay has been driving retail export in the region and enabling our sellers to grow their business via our global marketplace,” said Vidmay Naini, Regional General Manager for India and Southeast Asia, eBay International Cross Border Trade. “Shipping is a critical component of the cross border e-commerce ecosystem. Teaming up with FedEx, one of the world’s most well-respected e-commerce transportation and logistics carriers, gives our sellers access to a unique set of capabilities and rates, which ultimately enables them to provide their global customers with retail-standard buyer experience.”

The collaboration reflects the latest effort in strengthening the FedEx leadership in the e-commerce ecosystem through strategic collaborations with leading marketplaces and technology providers. To date, FedEx has integrated with more than 17 marketplace providers, including BigCommerce, an open SaaS e-commerce platform, allowing hundreds of thousands of e-tailers across Asia Pacific direct access to FedEx services, using their FedEx account number, to manage shipments and grow their cross-border e-commerce business.

In the Philippines, creating aircraft models is a rare business with only 10 known local companies working in this industry. Lyndon Uson, founder of AircraftCity – the home of quality model aircrafts and plaques – continues to make his mark in this booming yet competitive creative field by captivating both the local and global markets with his artistic skills and a reliable service delivery.

Lyndon Uson is a Filipino craftsman and entrepreneur whose innate passion for airplanes and experience moved him to venture into the business of handcrafting high-quality military and civilian aircraft models. With the support from his family and industry peers, he soon opened his own company, AircraftCity, which grew and expanded its operations attracting customers from all around the world.

AircraftCity’s models undergo a meticulous process to maintain a high-level of workmanship. Each of its produced handicrafts are designed from scratch and are hand-carved in solid Kiln Dried Philippine Mahogany wood. All the parts are then assembled and hand-painted by talented craftsmen. With Lyndon’s hands-on production methods and tight quality control procedures, the accuracy of the product is guaranteed from start to finish increasing its quality. “We are very particular about details. Since our models are handmade, characteristics such as the size of the propeller and the internal cockpit are taken into design consideration. My forte is developing models that my competitors aren’t making or aren’t able to develop,” shared Lyndon.

As his work became internationally recognized, Lyndon soon formed a partnership with Aviator Gear, a US-based e-commerce platform for custom military aviation gear. This partnership brought in resources that enabled AircraftCity to export their creations and connect with global customers. With a wider network, Lyndon is able to focus on design, production, and shipment of orders to customers from the US, Europe and other parts of the world.

AircraftCity is thankful throughout the pandemic, the company has seen a consistent and increasing demand for their products. Lyndon connects this continued growth with a strong e-commerce presence.  As such, Lyndon looks to build another factory to further scale his operations as he mentioned that “even our American partner is pushing us to expand as he foresees the production and orders of scaled aircrafts models to double by 2022.”

For Lyndon, forming strategic partnerships and networks are pivotal for small and medium enterprises like AircraftCity to leverage opportunities in the current e-commerce boom. When it comes to cross-border sales, safe and timely delivery is as important as the quality and integrity of the product. Ensuring that both aspects of the business are essential not only to ensure satisfaction but also trust among online customers.

In shipping its products, AircraftCity has relied on the valuable services of FedEx. The company has been a FedEx customer since 2013.  “We make it a point that our logistics provider understands that our products are delicate and with FedEx, they offer different shipping tools and solutions that enable me to optimize costs and delivery efficiency,” Lyndon says.

With FedEx as his logistics provider, Lyndon is able to connect to every U.S. address and to more than 220 countries and territories, allowing his business to grow exponentially and to reach a wider range of customers.

FedEx is a strong advocate for the growth of small and medium enterprises across the Asia Pacific region with its seamless courier services, helping many local businesses grow and launch to foreign markets.

Visit FedEx Express Philippines to learn more innovative ways to expand your business globally.

Today’s small businesses and start-ups are reshaping the global economic landscape to be stronger and more inclusive by playing a crucial role in addressing social adversities and opportunities. From providing affordable healthcare to embracing sustainability and advancing the digitalization in various industries, many start-ups are meeting the challenge head-on to make a difference and transform their communities by leveraging innovation and technology.

In Asia, FedEx recognized four companies that use their technological capabilities to offer solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems through the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest (SBGC).

SBGC’s aim is to enable small businesses to achieve their full potential and amplify their impact by bringing their businesses to a broader arena. One of the winning startups is Philippines’ Kalibrr, an online job-matching platform that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to simplify the applicant screening process for employers. This is especially useful for small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) with limited recruitment resources.

With a US$13,000 (Php 600,000) grant from the 2021 FedEx Small Business Grant Competition, Kalibrr is offering small businesses free premium subscriptions so they can utilize the company’s smart features and hire better-suited talent to transform and scale their businesses.

“In the present job market, postings from SMEs may get buried by thousands of job listings from established companies. Small businesses are at a competitive disadvantage as large companies have the budget to make highly visible job advertisements,” said Paul Rivera, the CEO and co-founder of Kalibrr.

Kalibrr enables SMEs to customize and highlight their strengths and needs better so they can target a particular niche or sector and connect with ideal applicants. “We want to give Filipino SMEs equal power through our platform to build their dream team by connecting them with skilled talents swiftly and more efficiently,” Rivera added.

The company is currently processing 10 million job applications annually and is working towards beating its own record in the coming years.

Understanding the job description

Helping people land their dream role is the top goal for Kalibrr.

“Unlike many other job search platforms, we use AI to solve a discovery and match problem. We let jobseekers discover opportunities rather than search for them. This means that our AI leverages the jobseeker’s profile histories and behaviors to quickly serve relevant job opportunities,” Rivera shared.

On the hiring end, Kalibrr’s algorithm helps companies to screen applicants more efficiently by analyzing the skill level, work environment, responsibilities and education needed for the position. Its AI-powered system and qualification tests can thoroughly scan and filter the profiles of candidates then match them based on employers’ preferences and online patterns. The service we provide is smarter, faster and consistent across all clients, big or small. Today, Kalibrr is serving over 5 million Filipino jobseekers,” said Rivera.

According to Rivera, Kalibrr produces more compatible company-jobseeker matches by recommending applicants with advanced scores in the assessment examinations for interviews with partner companies, or endorsing them for additional special training to prepare them for future interviews.

Getting the job done

Kalibrr has catered to over six million jobseekers and has helped over 300,000 customers find jobs globally since 2013.

“Our business has always been anchored in our mission to help transform the way businesses find great talents, and talents find career opportunities. For me, these figures represent 300,000 dreams and 300,000 lives we’ve helped change for the better,” Rivera said.

Kalibrr has earned recognition from various organizations such as Endeavor Business Media in 2020, the Unreasonable FUTURE Program, and the World Economic Forum in 2021.

Learning through experience

“Recruiting pretty much stopped in Q2 of 2020 due to the economic disruptions brought on by the pandemic – nobody was hiring,” said Rivera, who had to make sacrifices to keep the company afloat.
“We had to restructure and right-size the business in order to survive, and those decisions allowed us to be in a position to thrive today. These were very hard decisions, especially when it affects our people, but it was necessary in order for us to continue,” Rivera added.

Now with the economy and the rest of the world slowly starting back up amid vaccination rollouts and loosening lockdown restrictions, Rivera is confident that Kalibrr will be the go-to job board for Filipinos for whatever career they seek.

“The pandemic has dramatically altered the job market globally – the labor market today is truly global. Opportunity is no longer defined by where you live. I believe that companies that have leveraged technology to adapt through this pandemic will come out strong and formidable,” Rivera said.

Tip to fellow SMEs

Rivera breaks down his key learnings: “First off, be patient. Be consistent in putting in the work, and soon you’ll see that you’ve come so much farther than what expected.”

“Second, listen to your customers. It may be a no-brainer, but how you handle feedback, positive or otherwise, can really make or break your business,” Rivera added. “And, finally, your team defines how far and fast you can go. If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, be with like-minded people. At Kalibrr, we’re committed to going the extra mile for our users,” he concluded.

Rivera’s plan for Kalibrr is simple but powerful: To be the number one player in global remote hiring.
Indeed, the SME and start-up community is the backbone of the country’s economy, and a key driver of post-pandemic recovery. As an enabler of cross-border trade, FedEx fuels the growth momentum of small businesses by providing them with digital solutions and services for contactless delivery, network expansion, and seamless logistics experience.

For more success stories of SMEs and start-ups across Asia Pacific, head on to  FedEx Business Insights.