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Pascual undertakes high-level EU talks
In an effort to sustain high-level exchanges between the Philippines and the European Union, Trade and Industry Secretary Fred Pascual and European Commission Vice President/Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis met on 26 June 2023 in Belgium, Brussels. In the meeting, Pascual highlighted the recent policy directions undertaken by the Philippines to create an enabling business environment for foreign investments. He also cited the importance of the EU Generalized Scheme of Preferences-Plus or GSP+ to stakeholders, and how the same contributed to promoting inclusiveness and socio-economic development in the country. For his part, EVP Dombrovskis appreciates the openness of the Philippines to trade and investments especially the recent major economic reforms introduced by the country in the areas of public services and renewable energy. He also recognizes the value and importance of the EU GSP Plus in enhancing PH-EU trade relations. RCEP, other issues To show the current administration’s resolve to work closely with the EU, Sec. Pascual gave an update on recent developments in the country such as the country’s participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, the export strategy of the Philippines, the institutionalization of the Philippine Open Government Partnership, as well as developments in the areas of environment and good governance. “The continuation of EU GSP+ is beneficial both for the Philippines and the EU in driving inclusive growth and sustainable development,” Pascual remarked, For the year 2022, 2.93 billion euro worth of Philippine products were exported to the EU using GSP+ rates, which yielded a utilization rate of 77 percent — the highest utilization rate that the country logged. Pascual further underscored the necessity of finalizing the GSP regulation to provide business certainty both for Filipino exporters and EU Importers. EVP Dombrovskis responded that the Philippines await the result of the EU’s ongoing trialogue deliberation on the finalization of the new GSP scheme regulation. To provide for a more permanent mechanism in PH’s economic relationship with the EU, Secretary Pascual emphasized the need to resume the PH-EU FTA negotiations, citing the demand of the business sector such as the EU-ASEAN Business Council, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other industry associations. “To maintain strong economic relations with the EU, it is important that a PH-EU FTA is in place before the Philippines eventually loses its GSP+ status due to continued economic growth. With the country’s positive trajectory towards reaching upper-middle income status, it is high time for the Philippines and the EU to resume FTA negotiations,” DTI Secretary Pascual said. Strategic platform Pascual added, “The PH-EU FTA would be a strategic platform for economic engagement for the EU in the Indo-Pacific and PH can well serve as its strategic trade partner.” Trade and Industry Secretary Pascual further highlighted the Philippines’ implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, and the upcoming signing of a bilateral FTA with Korea. The Philippines is set to pursue a preferential trade agreement with India and another comprehensive FTA with the United Arab Emirates. Through ASEAN, the Philippines is negotiating an FTA with Canada. At the end of the meeting, both sides looked forward to continuing engagements and exchanges, with the upcoming new GSP scheme and future PH-EU FTA. Since last year, the Philippines and the EU had high-level exchanges. These include DTI’s visit as well as PH-EU Interparliamentary Meeting in Brussels in October 2022, President Marcos’ visit in December 2022, and EU Parliament’s visit to Manila in February 2023. The post Pascual undertakes high-level EU talks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chinese Diplomat Liu Jianchao Meets With Singapore s Leaders
singapore - Liu Jianchao, the senior diplomat widely expected to become China's next foreign minister, said "the world needs connectivity, not decoupling," during a four-day visit to Singapore.Liu, who heads the international department of the Communist Party, was in the city-state to meet with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the country's incoming leader, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.During a s.....»»
Akbayan to Sara: You don’t have to be president to speak vs China
MANILA, Philippines — Party-list group Akbayan said on Thursday that Vice President Sara Duterte does not have to be a president of the country for her to call out China’s intrusive actions over the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Empathy and a moral backbone is just what it takes to stand up with fisherfolk and frontline.....»»
Roque bares Duterte, China agreement to respect status quo in WPS
Roque bares Duterte, China agreement to respect status quo in WPS.....»»
Survey shows Cha-cha still unpopular with Filipinos — Senate leaders
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said that the findings of the survey by private pollster Pulse Asia, which was released on Wednesday, show that Charter change is an "unpopular move.".....»»
7 nanlaban drug suspects dead after Baste Duterte declares drug war
Less than a week after Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte declared a "war on drugs" in the city, at least seven drug suspects were killed during a buy-bust operation in the city — violence that highlights the seriousness of the mayor's recent threat of outright killing persons caught using illegal drugs......»»
CHR alarmed by war vs drugs in Davao City
THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is alarmed by Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte’s “war against drugs”, as seven drug users were killed from different barangays in the city over the weekend, just a few hours after his declaration......»»
Revisiting Uniteam (Last of 2 parts)
THE Uniteam coalition of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, described by many political analysts as the "dream team", had come a long way since sweeping the 2022 elections......»»
Women empowering women
As we celebrate National Women’s Month in March, here are inspiring messages from women leaders of different industries and sectors......»»
Roque: Xi, Duterte agreed to keep West Philippines Sea status quo
The Philippines under former president Rodrigo Duterte had a “gentleman’s agreement” with China to keep the status quo in the West Philippine Sea, a former Cabinet official said yesterday, as fresh tensions surround the WPS due to recent incursions by Beijing that targeted a Filipino resupply mission and a research team......»»
CHR probes Davao drug war deaths
The Commission on Human Rights yesterday expressed grave concern over Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte’s recent declaration of a war on drugs in the city......»»
PSAC welcomes Blinken’s bid to deepen bilateral ties
Private sector leaders have extended their full support to President Marcos as he deepened ties with the United States during US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s diplomatic visit to the country last March 19......»»
Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar on overseas deployment to ASEAN, arrives im Phillipines
Manila [Philippines], March 25 (ANI): India Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar, a specialized Pollution Control Vessel, reached Manila, Philippines on Monday, marking the commencement of its (overseas deployment) OSD mission to Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. ASEAN countries includes Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, " acc.....»»
Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar on overseas deployment to ASEAN nations, arrives in Philippines
Manila [Philippines], March 25 (ANI): India Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar, a specialized Pollution Control Vessel, reached Manila, Philippines on Monday, marking the commencement of its (overseas deployment) OSD mission to Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. ASEAN countries includes Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, " acc.....»»
Indian Coast Guard ship docks at Manila port amid tensions in South China Sea
Manila [Philippines], March 26 (ANI): Amid tensions in the South China Sea, the Indian Coast Guard ship, Samudra Paheredar docked at the Manila Bay in the Philippines as part of a broader initiative aimed at demonstrating ICG Marine Pollution Response capabilities, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in an official release on Tuesday. The ICG ship which arrived at the port on Monday, is on an overseas deployment to ASEAN c.....»»
Drug killings 95 percent lower than in previous admin
The number of deaths recorded under the Marcos administration’s war on drugs has decreased by over 95 percent, in contrast to the bloody anti-drug campaign of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte......»»
Agdao Public Market vendors want variety and vegetable sections merged
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 24 March) – Vendors of Agdao Public Market here are asking the city government to merge the Variety and Vegetable Sections into one section claiming they have difficulties in getting customers because of their location. In a letter addressed to Mayor Sebastian Duterte, the City Administrator’s Office, the City Economic Enterprise […].....»»
7 dead after Davao City Mayor Duterte declares war vs. drugs
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 26 March) – Two more drug suspects died in separate buy-bust operations in Toril District here before dawn Tuesday, after they allegedly resisted arrest, a police official said. This brought the number of fatalities to seven since Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte declared a “war” on illegal drugs last March […].....»»
A pilgrimage of self-love and reflection for business leaders
A pilgrimage of self-love and reflection for business leaders.....»»
Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar on overseas deployment to ASEAN, arrives im Phillipines
Manila [Philippines], March 25 (ANI): India Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar, a specialized Pollution Control Vessel, reached Manila, Philippines on Monday, marking the commencement of its (overseas deployment) OSD mission to Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. ASEAN countries includes Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, " acc.....»»