We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
Australia Hosting Special ASEAN Regional Summit
SYDNEY - Although Australia isn't a member of ASEAN, the country is hosting a summit of leaders from nine members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.Strengthening economic and security ties will be the focus for the Canberra government, which has set aside $186.7 million to help countries in Southeast Asia and more broadly in the Indo-Pacific region boost their maritime security.Analysts say Au.....»»
Special ASEAN Regional Summit in Australia
SYDNEY - Although Australia isn't a member of ASEAN, the country is hosting a summit of leaders from nine members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.Strengthening economic and security ties will be the focus for the Canberra government, which has set aside $186.7 million to help countries in Southeast Asia and more broadly in the Indo-Pacific region boost their maritime security.Analysts say Au.....»»
Australia Hosting Special ASEAN Regional Summit
SYDNEY - Although Australia isn't a member of ASEAN, the country is hosting a summit of leaders from nine members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.Strengthening economic and security ties will be the focus for the Canberra government, which has set aside $186.7 million to help countries in Southeast Asia and more broadly in the Indo-Pacific region boost their maritime security.Analysts say Au.....»»
Steps gaining exporter status under RCEP outlined
Exporters wishing to avail themselves of preferential tariffs under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership can apply with the Bureau of Customs to become an approved exporter, according to a customs official. Gina German, head of the Preferential Rate Unit of the BoC Port of Manila, is encouraging Filipino exporters to start leveraging the RCEP’s benefits, foremost of which is being allowed to source materials and products from the 14 other member parties of the mega free trade agreement at lower duty rates. Study and comply German also urged companies to study and comply with the RCEP’s rules of origin (ROO), a requirement to get preferential tariff treatment under the world’s biggest trade deal. Essentially, the ROO can be regarded as a passport for products, a way to determine the country of origin of a product and establish its eligibility for preferential tariff treatment. It can help businesses reduce costs and boost their competitiveness within the regional market. Under RCEP, originating goods are those falling under three categories: wholly obtained in the RCEP party or member state of the agreement; those produced in a party exclusively from originating materials from one or more of the parties; and those produced in a party using non-originating materials, provided the good satisfies the applicable requirements set out in Annex 3A (Product-Specific Rules). Documentary requirements German said applicants seeking “approved exporter” status under RCEP should submit the following documentary requirements: • Duly accomplished application form • BoC’s Certificate of Registration • Product Evaluation Report or PER, if applicable Meanwhile, traders applying for approved exporter status, should submit a producer’s declaration indicating the originating status of the good for which the trader will be completing a declaration of origin and stating the producer’s readiness to cooperate in verification. “If you are a trader, you need to know who produces the good or you still have a declaration that it is originating in the Philippines so that you will be ready during the retro verification or verification of the importing country,” said German during her talk last month at a Department of Trade and Industry webinar. In addition applicants have to submit a list of the authorized signatories of the DO and their respective specimen signatures. The application form should be submitted in both hard copy and electronic Portable Document Format to the deputy commissioner of the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group through the Customer Care Center or CCC. The Export Coordination Division or ECD will then evaluate the application based on the following criteria: Exporter is a legitimate exporter who must have been transacting with the BOC for at least one year prior to the date of application Exporter must have been exporting products to at least one RCEP party for at least one year • Exporter must have good compliance measured by risk management of the BOC • Exporter must have a sound bookkeeping and recordkeeping system • Exporter must have responsible officers or persons authorized to sign the DO, who must have sufficient knowledge, competence in ROO application • Exporter must be willing to be subjected to regular monitoring and inspection to determine correctness of its declaration with respect to the goods exported. Written authorization After evaluation the ECD will grant the status of approved exporter to the successful applicants by issuing a written authorization with its corresponding authorization code within 14 working days. From there, the BOC will input the details of the approved exporter in its Approved Exporter Database for circulation among the RCEP parties. RCEP came into effect officially for the Philippines on June 2, 2023 after the Senate finally ratified the agreement in February this year. The Philippines was the last country to ratify RCEP, a free trade pact among the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations — Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam — and the five ASEAN FTA partners Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. The post Steps gaining exporter status under RCEP outlined appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tourism, agribusiness need prioritization — PCCI
The country’s biggest congregation of business owners in the country, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the Marcos Jr. administration must focus on the industries of tourism and agribusiness as they provide opportunities to Filipinos. Apart from the two, PCCI president George Barcelon said other industries that need further push and support are IT-BPO and creative industries, manufacturing, mining, and mineral resources, considered to be ideal and attractive for local and foreign investments and could amplify the economic growth and competitiveness of the country. “Some of our neighboring countries in ASEAN have really moved fast over the past 10 years. We had been lagging them in terms of exports, investments, and trade and we could not afford to be in this situation, so we really need to review our policies for us to be attractive to local and foreign investors,” Barcelon said. He said this will be the center of discussions at the upcoming 49th Philippine Business Conference & Expo set this month, which will gather industry leaders and practitioners to provide insights and share some prospects in what an interesting discussion on policies and regulations could be to attract investors and stimulate investments in these sectors. He said tourism and agribusiness are low-hanging fruits that the government should seriously prioritize and develop as it provides many opportunities for Filipinos. In 2022, the tourism and travel industry only contributed 6.2 percent to the country’s GDP lower than 12.7 percent in 2019 prior to the pandemic. The latest data from the Department of Tourism said that from 1 January to 29 September 2023, a total of 4,005,465 visitors arrived in the country, bringing in a total of P316 billion in revenue into the government coffers and hiring 5.35 million Filipinos in tourism-related jobs. The Philippine agribusiness, on the other hand, contributed only around 8.9 percent to GDP in 2022 where in fact its contribution could actually reach 35 percent. The mining and mineral sector, meanwhile, was able to boost the country’s growth by P102B in 2020 during the pandemic while the manufacturing sector contributed 17.2 percent in 2022. “As the private sector takes the lead in mapping out plans for Vision 2050, we hope our government will focus its attention on harnessing these sectors and address the challenges that hinder the country’s economic growth. We have the competitive advantage to become a first world economy by 2050, we just have to do extra work to achieve it,” said Architect Felino Palafox Jr., who chairs the 49th PBC&E happening on 25-26 October at The Manila Hotel. This year’s conference carries the theme Vision 2050: The Philippines A First-World Economy. It will initiate discussions and gather insights from visionary leaders and policymakers on how the country, given its strategic location, natural and human capital resources, and the many advantages it has, can become one of the industrialized and developed economies by 2050. The two-day event will interestingly gather prominent business personalities, national and local executives, and international leaders. The post Tourism, agribusiness need prioritization — PCCI appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ASEAN leaders agree on 5PC to address Myanmar crisis
JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday called for the complete implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) in Myanmar, a set of principles agreed upon by the Association of the Southeast Asian Nation leaders in April 2021 to address the political crisis in the country. Speaking at the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS) here, Marcos said that the Philippines believes that the key to any solution in Myanmar is the inclusive participation of all parties. He also reiterated the Philippines' support for the Special Envoy of ASEAN in pushing the Five-Point Consensus forward. "We maintain that endeavors by other parties to address the crisis should support and complement ASEAN's efforts, and should be done in consultation with the ASEAN Chair," Marcos said. The Five-Point Consensus calls for an immediate cessation of violence, constructive dialogue among all parties, an inclusive political process, the appointment of a Special Envoy of ASEAN, and the provision of humanitarian assistance. Marcos also called for the urgent realization of the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) to help countries address the impacts of climate change. He said that countries with the smallest carbon footprints disproportionately bear the heaviest burden of climate change. "Climate financing, complemented by viable and effective technology transfer and country-specific capacity-building, is needed to expedite a just transition to a climate-resilient economy," Marcos said. He also sought the support of other EAS leaders for the development of the Philippines' strategic minerals supply and value chains. He said that this would boost the Philippines' efforts to ensure a resilient and sustainable future for the region. Marcos concluded his intervention by reaffirming the Philippines' commitment to an open and inclusive regional order where the rule of law and ASEAN Centrality remain the bedrock of an evolving regional architecture. The East Asia Summit is a regional forum held annually by leaders of, initially, 16 countries in the East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, and Oceanian regions, based on the ASEAN Plus Six mechanism. Membership expanded to 18 countries including Russia and the United States at the Sixth EAS in 2011. The post ASEAN leaders agree on 5PC to address Myanmar crisis appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl to rely on rice imports from Vietnam, Cambodia
JAKARTA, Indonesia – The Philippines and Vietnam are working on a 5-year agreement to improve rice output and food security in the two Southeast Asian nations, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said on Thursday. During their meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, the Vietnamese leader told Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that his country is ready to help the Philippines obtain food security and boost rice production. "Our two countries will conclude an inter-government agreement on rice trade so that our rice export to the Philippines will ensure food security in the Philippines," he told Marcos Jr. "We look forward to having a stable framework of cooperation on rice trade for a long period of at least (five) years," the Vietnamese official added. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh then said that Vietnam "will ensure" its rice production and told Marcos that the Philippines can also ensure imports from its neighboring country. Marcos Jr. then noted that his Vietnamese counterpart was ready to let the Philippines import rice as the Philippine leader acknowledged that food supply is a "main issue" in the Philippines. "In Asia, food supply is very much determined by rice and the prices," Marcos said. The Philippine president then expressed his optimism that both his country and Vietnam would have "very fruitful" arrangements. Rice imports from Cambodia In a separate bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Hun Manet here in Jakarta, Marcos opened up the possibility of sourcing rice from Cambodia to the Philippines. Marcos then asked for Cambodia's support in making things easier for rice importers so that there would be a steady rice supply after typhoons hurt rice production in the Philippines. Initially, business-to-business sales deals between Cambodian-based firm Khmer Foods company and rice importers in the Philippines resulted in the export to the Philippines of about 2,500 tons of rice in May this year. This was the first time the Philippines is importing a significant tonnage of rice from Cambodia after the passage of the Rice Tariffication Law in 2019, which liberalized rice trade in the Philippines and allowed private entities, instead of the government, to import rice from any country, subject to compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary requirements and import duties. Cambodian officials say that by 2024, they want to have a 1 percent share of the imported rice market in the Philippines. They have urged stakeholders to keep exporting rice to the Philippines and even increase the amount Cambodians export. *Aviation* With regard to civil aviation cooperation, both countries agreed to expand the direct flights between the Philippines and Cambodia given the improvements in the COVID-19 situation and easing of restrictions. “…I shall, as my homework when I get back, look into the possibility of our airline increasing the number of flights to other destinations in Cambodia that we would like to go to. This is something that goes both ways,” the President also said. The President also mentioned the cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and Cambodia that could be enhanced further. “I’m very proud of our overseas Filipino workers and the teachers who have gone abroad and places. Many who’ve come from my part of the country and we have been able to assist our allies and our partners in terms of exchange of culture and the like,” Marcos said. The post Phl to rely on rice imports from Vietnam, Cambodia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Digitizing a must — Concepcion
Honing and making micro, small and medium enterprises fully engrossed with digitization is now a must for every country in the ASEAN Region to fully realize the expanding opportunities presented by digital transformation, according to ASEAN-Business Advisory Council Philippines chairperson Joey Concepcion. “The power of digitalization is there; we just have to use it. It’s time that we really focus on the objective of greater prosperity, especially for those at the bottom of the pyramid, using whatever tools we have,” Concepcion said during a panel discussion on ASEAN’s Digital Powerhouse at the Nexus of Connectivity and Transformation in Jakarta, Indonesia on Sunday. “We must enable MSMEs to use digitalization to their advantage. Digital growth is seen to boost cross-border e-commerce by providing MSMEs with access to new markets and is hoped to promote financial inclusion to underserved populations,” he added. Further, Concepcion noted that although the rapid growth of digital adoption in the ASEAN bodes well for the region’s economies, its growth must be inclusive, with MSMEs being crucial to sustainable growth, to fully realize the expanding opportunities presented by digital transformation. “All of these tools are important to uplift the lives of our people. That’s why we are here: how do we solve big problems, especially for those who are at the bottom of the pyramid,” he said, pointing out that four of the 10 countries in the ASEAN have nearly a fifth of their populations still living in poverty. Region’s biggest tech players The session gathered some of the region’s biggest technology players, as well as key stakeholders from leading multinational companies, global financial institutions, and government organizations. The session delved into the development of strategic policies — including financial technology, e-trade, and cross-border trade facilitation. “The power of digital has to be used. The crisis pushed people to use these tools and this is one of the reasons we in the ASEAN BAC Philippines proposed to sign an MoU with each ASEAN country to focus on sectors that will bring development, specifically agriculture and MSMEs,” he said. He also pointed out that digitalization will stand to benefit even the one-man businesses — also known as nanopreneurs — who now have a better chance at succeeding because they have access to marketing tools and digital payment solutions. “We are the big brothers. Unless we embrace the MSMEs in our value chain this is going to take a long time. That is our mission as ASEAN BAC heads, to see to it that greater prosperity is achieved,” he said. Private sector feedback The ASEAN BAC was organized to provide private sector feedback and guidance to boost ASEAN’s efforts towards economic integration. It was said in the discussion that ASEAN has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing Internet market, with a 40 percent annual growth in the value of e-commerce between 2016 and 2021. Further, it is set to become the world’s fastest-growing digital market driven by a growing consumer market and the rapid adoption of social commerce platforms by its population. “This growth must be inclusive to unlock the benefits. It must be used to enable MSMEs,” he said. Phl case cited Concepcion cited the Philippines case as an example of how digital technology has helped MSMEs compete with big corporations and gave birth to a thriving digital economy that was further hastened by the pandemic lockdowns. Aside from Concepcion, other speakers in the session were Sam Myers, deputy trade commissioner for Asia Pacific (Southeast Asia) at the UK Department for Business and Trade; Haslina Taib, CEO of Dynamic Technologies; Yuem Kuan Moon, CEO of Singtel; and Kok Ping Soon, CEO of Singapore Business Federation. Bank of Indonesia Governor Dr. Perry Warijjyo, Temasek Holdings CEO Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara; and Japan External Trade Organization Chairman Ishiguro Norihiko delivered keynote remarks, while ASEAN-BAC Indonesia Policy Manager for Digital Transformation Yohanes Lukiman gave a policy presentation. The post Digitizing a must — Concepcion appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl-Korea FTA signed Sept.
The much-anticipated signing of a free trade agreement, or FTA, between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea will likely take place in September, the Department of Trade and Industry said on Monday. Trade Secretary Fred Pascual met with Minister Dukgeun Ahn of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea last Sunday, 20 August 2023, during the 55th ASEAN Economic Ministers held in Semarang, Indonesia regarding the economic deal. “Both ministers welcomed the conclusion of the PH-ROK FTA negotiations and agreed to work for its signing, preferably at the sidelines of the 24th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit in September 2023.” Supply chain deal In addition, “ the trade officials committed to working on a possible supply chain resilience cooperation to ensure stability and predictability of business operations, particularly in the manufacturing sector,” the DTI said. Further, the DTI said that in time for the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Philippines-Korea diplomatic relations, both ministers are also considering organizing a Business Forum to further boost trade and investment relations. The two sides first started negotiating the FTA in June 2019 before concluding negotiations in October 2021. But its signing was stalled several times. Under the Philippines-South Korea FTA, South Korea will lift tariffs on 94.8 percent of Philippine products, while the Philippines will cut tariffs on 96.5 percent of South Korean products. Other areas covered by the FTA include trade in goods, trade remedies, rules of origin, customs procedures and trade facilitation, economic and technical cooperation, competition, and legal and institutional issues. The post Phl-Korea FTA signed Sept. appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UK sustainability, digitization ally
The United Kingdom is the country’s partner in the promotion of sustainability and digitization, according to Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual. At the 3rd ASEAN Economic Ministers-United Kingdom Consultations on 20 August in Semarang, Indonesia, Pascual acknowledged the vital role of the British government in advancing regional economic integration, particularly in the areas of sustainability and digitalization. He said this includes new cooperation initiatives of the UK on the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility, which aims to increase access to finance for green infrastructure, and the British International Investment, which plans to open satellite offices in the region, including in the Philippines. Pascual also expressed appreciation to ASEAN and UK officials for the progress made in the implementation of the initiatives outlined under the Joint Ministerial Declaration on Future Economic Cooperation. Initiatives expanded Pascual also called on ASEAN and UK officials to consider expanding initiatives to support the region’s digital transformation agenda, particularly the intended ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement. “As the Philippines targets to transition into a green economy, a partnership with the UK will be integral in advancing sustainable and digitalized processes,” the DTI said in a Facebook post. Also, the UK Government is eyeing to establish a Joint Trade and Economic Committee or JETCO with the Philippines to improve partnerships in terms of trade. With this, Pascual welcomed UK’s interest to strike an agreement with the Philippines to form a committee that would boost both countries’ trade and economy. “This will serve as a platform to enhance economic relations, promote more trade and investments, and address related issues,” according to Pascual. The UK established JETCO with different countries to address trade barriers and improve the flow of trade in goods and services. In Southeast Asia, the UK has JETCO with Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The post UK sustainability, digitization ally appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Leaders hoping to develop young archers
World Archery Philippines president Clint Aranas is hoping the 1st ASEAN Youth Championships that unfolded at the Dynamic Herb Sports Complex here would boost the sport in the region......»»
Philippine archery body banks on ASEAN Youth tilt to boost sport
World Archery Philippines president Clint Aranas is hoping the 1st ASEAN Youth Championships that unfolded at the Dynamic Herb Sports Complex here would blaze the trail for the sport to boom in the region......»»
Binay to DFA: Require personal appearances in E-visa application
Senator Nancy Binay on Tuesday urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to make “personal appearances at consular offices” as a “non-negotiable requirement” for some categories applying for electronic-visa or e-visa to ensure national security is still in place. Binay welcomed the pilot implementation of the country’s first-ever e-visa services on 24 August but stressed that DFA and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency should come up with “better security policies” to prevent possible non-technical loopholes. She added the authorities should ensure that the “probability” of organized syndicates exploiting tour groups and junkets will be lessened, including human trafficking. “We welcome the implementation of e-visas not only to positively boost tourism but also as our commitment to facilitate ease of travel. In the same vein, we urge the DFA and NICA to refine national security policies to deter undesirable travelers from extra-legally bypassing immigration laws,” Binay said. The senator likewise urged the DoF and NICA to review the existing exemption system to avoid any misuse and abuse by some foreign nationals of the Philippine e-visa. Binay cited the country’s digital version of the standard visa allows foreign travelers to enter a certain country for a specific period or purpose. In lieu of physical holographic stamps or stickers on the passport, applicants instead receive an e-visa approval code—which is linked to the passports. Binay urged authorities to make sure that national security would not be compromised amid plans to improve the digitalization of government processes. “Though the e-visa system temporarily gives us an opportunity to recover and jumpstart Philippine tourism, kailangan natin magkaroon ng (there’s a need to have) serious strategic decision on embracing the system as a modern travel solution,” she said. “Every visa decision has a national security dimension. Certain parameters on security should be in place, and apply a multi-layered safety plug plus a face-to-face interview to a narrow category of travelers para talagang salang-sala ang mga pumapasok sa bansa,” she added. Binay said vetting on transnational organizational criminals or TOC-related grounds and extensive security screening should be the prime considerations in approving visa applications. "Mas laganap ngayon ang transnational crimes lalo na ang human trafficking and prostitution na mula Mainland China. Gaano ba kasigurado tayo na ang nabibigyan natin ng e-visa eh talagang mga lehitimong turista? As a matter of national interest, I share the DFA's position to require face-to-face interviews with tourist visa applicants whose profiles fall in marked categories," she said. Hence, Binay advised the DFA to proceed with caution saying that the Bureau of Immigration “should also have a system to check on foreign nationals overstaying in the country.” Considering that the Philippines is the only ASEAN country with a Tier 1 status under the US State Department’s annual human trafficking report, Binay said the DFA cannot turn a blind eye on media reports involving the alleged trafficking of Chinese workers to the country. “Lalo pa ngayong unti-unti nang nanunumbalik ang turismo (now that tourism is reviving)—we also cannot ignore that China is a big market. I share the opinion that we have to take advantage of the global 'revenge tourism' phenomenon, but targeting visitor quotas need not dilute national security interests. At the end of the day, safety nets in homeland security should be in place,” she said. Binay noted that visa applicants must demonstrate their eligibility for e-visa acquisition, whether they are applying for tourism, business, or emergency purposes. The policy must apply to all foreign nationals, and we always have to be on the side of caution and prudence, she added. The DFA is set to pilot the e-visa in China and India beginning on 24 August. It will later allow foreign travelers to enter the country for tourism and business to apply for temporary visas online. The post Binay to DFA: Require personal appearances in E-visa application appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bongbong’s foreign policy: More like ‘Macoy’ than ‘Digong’
Despite being dismissed as a spoiled brat and a weakling by both his father and the man he succeeded, Rodrigo Duterte, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his first year in office, stood up to China and showed he is more like the older Marcos than Duterte. Always underestimated, Marcos Jr., observers noted, spent much of his political career surrounded by powerful women, including former First Lady Imelda Marcos and his sister, Senator Imee Marcos. But this shouldn’t fool one into thinking that he is not his own man. Only days after winning last year’s presidential elections, he asserted his independence by denying top allies, including running mate Sara Duterte, key cabinet positions. He also showed his own distinct approach on the foreign policy front by holding cordial meetings with diplomats from both traditional and regional partners. While emphasizing his preference for a diplomatic engagement with China, Marcos Jr., notes the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, reiterated the finality of the arbitral tribunal ruling in the South China Sea, and made clear he “will not compromise it in any way,” calling the country’s sovereignty “sacred.” “Taking into consideration the widespread skepticism towards Beijing among Filipinos and within the country’s defense establishment, Marcos Jr. adopted a calibrated assertiveness towards China while welcoming pragmatic cooperation on the economic front,” AMTI said. The perceived wisdom on the younger Marcos’s foreign policy, according to AMTI, is that he is nothing but a mild-mannered version of Duterte. In fact, he was the only candidate during the elections who publicly backed full continuity in the country’s Beijing-friendly policies. He barely mentioned the treaty alliance with the United States, emphasizing his preference for a diplomatic engagement. “Whatever we do, we can’t go to war… we don’t want to go to war with China,” he was quoted to have said. A year into office, however, it is obvious the younger Marcos was advocating a centrist position in the territorial dispute. It was, according to one analyst, a middle-of-the-road decision aimed at appeasing both superpowers, China and the United States. Indeed, it was a balancing act complicated by both internal and external factors. While Duterte was reluctant to confront China over the South China Sea, Marcos Jr. has adopted tougher rhetoric, showing a better appreciation of how the Philippines should position itself given the very uncertain strategic environment it is facing. He is said to have been able to forge closer relations with Washington because his family already has long-standing ties with Beijing which affords him a degree of capital. A year into office, however, it was obvious the younger Marcos was advocating a centrist position in the territorial dispute As AMTI related, the Marcos connection to Beijing goes deep, stretching back to the height of the Cold War period when his father formalized bilateral relations with Maoist China. As the then-announced successor, Bongbong even personally met Chairman Mao, who warmly welcomed the princeling and his family to Zhongnanhai. The Marcoses maintained those linkages even after their ouster from power in Malacañang, albeit on a sub-national level. As overlords of the northern province of Ilocos Norte, the Marcos dynasty continued to welcome trade and diplomatic relations with their Chinese counterparts under the emerging Maritime Silk Road Initiative. Despite the growing Chinese coercive actions against the Philippine Coast Guard and Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea, Marcos Jr. welcomed continued economic engagement with China under his “Friend to all, enemy to none” policy first espoused by Duterte during his pivot to Beijing. Balancing act Compared to former presidents before him, Marcos Jr.’s foreign policy is truly a balancing act not much different from his father’s. Ferdinand Marcos Sr. (1965-1986), during his presidency, pursued a foreign policy that sought to balance relations with both the United States and other countries, including those in the Soviet Bloc. He declared martial law in 1972, and this had implications for the country’s foreign relations. The Philippines’ relationship with the US was close, but during his time, Marcos also sought to strengthen ties with our Asian neighbors. Corazon Aquino (1986-1992) focused on restoring democracy and human rights in the Philippines after the end of the Marcos dictatorship. She sought to rebuild relations with other countries that had been strained during Marcos’s rule. Her administration also emphasized diplomatic engagement with ASEAN countries and the international community. Fidel V. Ramos (1992-1998) prioritized economic diplomacy and focused on attracting foreign investment to boost the Philippine economy. He worked to strengthen relationships with ASEAN and APEC countries and fostered ties with the US, Japan, and other regional partners. Joseph Estrada (1998-2001) emphasized national sovereignty and non-interference in domestic affairs. He pursued good relations with ASEAN nations but was criticized for a more inward-looking approach to foreign affairs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2001-2010) focused on economic diplomacy and sought to improve the Philippines’ standing in the international community. She maintained strong ties with the US and also expanded engagement with China. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III (2010-2016) emphasized upholding the rule of law in the region and advocating for the Philippines’ territorial claims in the South China Sea. He strengthened relations with traditional allies like the US and worked to foster closer ties with other Asian countries. While Bongbong Marcos is not his father, the legacy of the former Filipino strongman hangs over his administration. This legacy of pragmatism is also reinforced in the sentiments of the defense establishment and the broader Filipino public who want the government to take a tougher stance against China. Unlike Duterte, the younger Marcos has shown in his first year in office that he is adopting a more calibrated foreign policy combining elements of pragmatism and assertiveness towards a major power like China while seeking to leverage Philippine ties with the United States. The post Bongbong’s foreign policy: More like ‘Macoy’ than ‘Digong’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Enhancing economic diplomacy worldwide
Since assuming office in 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has embarked on 11 foreign visits aimed at enhancing diplomatic relations, fostering economic ties, and promoting international cooperation. His foreign visits hold significant importance in shaping the country’s global standing and pursuing its national interests. One of the Chief Executive’s primary objectives in his global forays is to strengthen regional ties within Southeast Asia. Recognizing the importance of regional cooperation, he has engaged with neighboring countries through bilateral meetings and participation in regional summits. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="161524,161523"] By promoting dialogue and collaboration, President Marcos Jr. aims to address mutual challenges such as climate change, maritime security, and terrorism that affect the region collectively. In particular, Marcos Jr. prioritized forging stronger ties with traditional allies like the United States, Japan and Australia. These visits have sought to reaffirm existing partnerships and explore new avenues for collaboration, particularly in the fields of trade, defense, and technology. Another critical aspect of the President’s foreign visits was to boost economic diplomacy and attract foreign investments to the Philippines. Recognizing the need for economic growth and job creation, he has engaged in high-level discussions with leaders and business representatives from various countries. These interactions have aimed to showcase the Philippines as an attractive investment destination and foster international confidence in the country’s economic prospects. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="161520,161521,161519,161514,161516,161518"] As part of his economic diplomacy efforts, President Marcos Jr. has also participated in international economic forums and trade summits, advocating for fair trade practices and increased market access for Philippine products and services. These engagements have helped position the Philippines as an active player in the global economy, enabling the country to benefit from the opportunities of an interconnected world. In these engagements, the President has demonstrated a commitment to addressing global challenges and representing the Philippines on the international stage. His participation in multilateral forums such as the United Nations General Assembly, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN Summit, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC Summit have allowed him to engage with world leaders on various pressing issues. During his first year in office, President Marcos Jr. has been confronted with several international crises and humanitarian challenges. His foreign visits have presented opportunities to strengthen cooperation with other nations in times of need. As the world continues to grapple with complex challenges, the President’s diplomatic efforts have aimed to position the Philippines as a responsible and active member of the international community. The impact of his foreign visits will continue to shape the country’s relations with the world and its pursuit of national interests on the global stage. The post Enhancing economic diplomacy worldwide appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Philippines chessers boost stocks
Filipino International Masters Daniel Quizon and Michael Concio Jr. conquered their respective foes yesterday to seize solo first and second after seven rounds in the premier Open Under-20 class of the 21st ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships in Bangkok, Thailand......»»
Economic managers court Singaporeans
The country’s economic managers on Thursday boasted of the government’s aggressive infrastructure development plan and strong consumer spending among Filipinos post-pandemic as they hope to attract more investments from Singaporean firms. In their second economic briefing in Singapore, Philippine economic managers updated the foreign business community on the 194 infrastructure projects approved by the National Economic and Development Authority in March. NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan shared 93 of them are already being built, of which 19 are expected to be completed this year and 61 in the next five years. “These investments will ease the process of doing business, expand market opportunities and foster job creation and innovation,” Balisacan said. The infrastructure program totaling around P8.3 trillion includes transportation, energy, water, agriculture and digitalization projects, among others. Committed to increase infrastructure spending Under the current administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Balisacan said the government has committed to increase infrastructure spending ranging from 5 percent to 6 percent of the gross domestic product or at least $20 billion to $40 billion each year. “In the previous administrations, we didn’t have ready-to-implement infrastructure projects. We had to develop them ourselves. Now there are such, with feasibility studies and some detailed engineering, so you can come in and invest,” Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno added. Through public-private partnerships or PPPs in the infrastructure industry, Balisacan said the government can improve other basic services to the people. “We’re pushing for PPPs to support certain programs and have the rest of the funds support other basic programs such as social protection, health and education.” To boost funds for infrastructure spending, Diokno said the government has proposed the Maharlika Investment Fund, a sovereign wealth fund which could have sub-funds for specific industries, such as those contributing to fight climate change. Economy expanded the most in Asia Meanwhile, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas deputy governor Francisco Dakila Jr. said the Philippine economy expanded the most in Asia at 6.4 percent in the first quarter this year, higher than Malaysia’s 4.9 percent, India’s 4.6 percent and Thailand’s 2.8, due to strong consumption of goods and services. Dakila reported sales from hotels and restaurants jumped by 23.8 percent and 30.1 percent from automobile shops. He added domestic consumption was also partly driven by the continued flow of remittances from overseas Filipino workers which increased by 3 percent in the first quarter despite global inflation. While the banking sector has seen moderate growth, Dakila said financial firms remain stable and optimistic for more clients as more Filipinos have been able to find jobs, with the unemployment rate falling to 4.5 percent in April from 5.7 percent in the same month last year. “We see that the banking sector is pretty much stable. The central bank did an outlook survey for the non-performing loans ratio showing it rising to 8 percent during the pandemic and that didn’t happen. Now it’s 3.5 percent, so banks are well capitalized. Investments in the financial sector should be very attractive.” Middle-income society Balisacan said the government aims to achieve economic growth of at least 6.5 percent each year and make the country a predominantly middle-income society by 2040. To achieve this goal, Balisacan said the government will be expanding trade agreements with other countries, including members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). “His marching order to us is to expand the opportunities in trade with other countries. The Philippines has the lowest number of bilateral agreements in ASEAN. The country has improved employment but the quality of employment is below par.” The post Economic managers court Singaporeans appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DENR eyes more biodiversity partnerships
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Antonia Loyzaga addressed over 150 World Wide Fund for Nature international leaders from 80 countries during the 2023 WWF Annual Conference held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on 25 May. Loyzaga said her department is exploring a potential partnership with global conservation organization WWF to boost efforts toward preserving the country’s rich biological diversity and protecting threatened species and their habitats amid climate change. Founded in 1961, WWF is the world’s leading independent conservation organization. It aims to conserve and restore biodiversity and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources to support current and future generations. Leaders who attended the conference in Palawan included newly-appointed WWF international president Dr. Adil Najam, director general Dr. Kirsten Shujit, president ad interim Neville Isdell, WWF Philippines chairperson Maribel Garcia and executive director Trin Custodio. Joining them were WWF international board member and former Department of Energy chief Vince Perez. Loyzaga said that while the Philippines is one of the world’s 18 mega-biodiverse countries and considered the richest marine eco-region on the planet, it is also one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots with at least 700 threatened species. “We must now prioritize restoration of degraded areas to prevent and reverse species loss, and work together toward investing in the regeneration of life on land and below water to achieve a nature-positive world,” Loyzaga said during her keynote speech. “I would like to extend an invitation to WWF to work with the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, the Manila Observatory and the DENR on climate change-related species vulnerability analysis by biogeographic region using high-resolution scenarios, and the adoption of threatened endemic species in order to move them away from the threat of extinction,” she added. Loyzaga also urged the WWF to work with DENR on innovative approaches for corporate responsibilities through the adoption of spatial finance. According to Loyzaga, a whole-of-society approach is needed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, accelerate climate action and strengthen disaster resilience, which are key components of the Philippine Development Plan. “We must ensure a balance between advancing human development and protecting biodiversity, and the DENR is committed to investing in urgent and transformative change to address the intersecting crises of biodiversity loss and climate change,” she said, noting that achieving resilient and sustainable development can only be realized through concerted efforts and the sustained commitment of all. In 2010, the DENR issued its Administrative Order No. 2010-16 which established the “Adopt-A-Wildlife Species Program” pursuant to the Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. The order aims to ensure the perpetuity of threatened species and protection of their habitats; promote biodiversity conservation and prevent species extinction through the active participation of stakeholders; and raise awareness on the country’s threatened wildlife species, among others. The DENR and its partners in government, the private sector, development bodies and civil society groups are also implementing programs to fulfill the country’s global commitments under the Global Biodiversity Framework, the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. These include the USAID Philippines Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes; Protect Wildlife Project; and collaborations with private sector organizations. This includes collaboration with Energy Development Corporation, Ayala Group, and Prime Infra on GHG and biodiversity inventories, climate disaster risk management programs, research, monitoring, reforestation, watershed area protection, and remote sensing technologies, to name a few. The post DENR eyes more biodiversity partnerships appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EU free trade pact eyed still
A free-trade agreement with the European Union is still being pursued by the Philippine government, as the Trade Department is pushing the resumption of the negotiations for the Philippines-European Union Free Trade Agreement or PH-EU FTA to bring in new avenues for economic growth and cooperation with one of the world’s largest single markets. On Wednesday, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual stressed the PH-EU FTA would mean a reduction or elimination of tariffs imposed on goods entering the EU, and will enhance the competitiveness of local products, making them more attractive to European consumers and therefore enabling micro, small and medium enterprises, and Filipino exporters to earn a bigger profit. “Ultimately, what we are focusing on is an enhanced market access for Philippine goods and services to the EU as this will allow exporters to diversify their markets, reach a broader consumer base, and increase their export volumes,” he said. Facilitate FDIs from EU Aside from the benefits to the export sector, the PH-EU FTA will facilitate the influx of foreign direct investments from EU countries, which the DTI sees as a huge contributor to knowledge transfer, job generation, and local industry development. “On 18 May 2023, I met with the Swedish Minister of Trade and International Development Cooperation, His Excellency Johan Forssell, where he expressed support for the Philippines’ interest in the retention of our GSP status and our re-application to the EU-GSP+, as well as the resumption of the PH-EU FTA negotiations,” Pascual said. According to Pascual, in his meeting with Forssell, the latter told him that the Swedish government is supportive of the Philippines’ endeavors as Sweden is a country that is pro-trade and pro-markets. Swedish companies Further, Pascual relayed that Swedish companies are now open to partnering with Philippine companies and are interested in cooperating in terms of technology transfer to support industry development and innovation, and skills upgrading. He said he welcomed Forssell’s expression of support with great optimism. Aside from the Swedish Minister, the European Union — ASEAN Business Council, also expressed support for the Philippines’ push for the resumption of negotiations last Monday during their meeting with Secretary Pascual. The EU-ABC serves as the voice of European businesses in the ASEAN region. Pascual also highlighted that the organization’s support would provide the needed boost to the country’s intent. “We are grateful for this support from the Swedish government and the EU-ABC, especially on the re-starting of the PH-EU FTA negotiations as we prepare to respond to the ongoing trend in economic growth and as we aim to make the Philippines a middle-income economy in the next few years,” he added. The post EU free trade pact eyed still appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ASEAN vows action on human traffickers operating online
Southeast Asian nations vowed Wednesday tougher action on human trafficking as criminals increasingly use social media and other online platforms to recruit and exploit victims. International alarm is growing over internet scams in the region that are often staffed by trafficking victims tricked or coerced into promoting bogus crypto investments. Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar have emerged as "countries of destination" for victims, according to the International Organization for Migration. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional bloc, which is meeting in Indonesia this week, adopted a declaration pledging to "strengthen cooperation and coordination" to catch traffickers and identify victims. ASEAN said criminals increasingly "use and abuse" social media and other online platforms to profile, recruit and exploit victims as well as launder the proceeds of the crime. Among other things, the member countries agreed to boost the capacity of law enforcement and other agencies to investigate, collect data and evidence of trafficking, exchange information and conduct joint operations. "I'd like to emphasize that the crime of human trafficking must be completely eradicated from the upstream to downstream," Indonesian President Joko Widodo said Monday, ahead of the 9-11 May summit on the tropical island of Flores. The IOM has said most people trafficked into these illegal online operations came from around Asia -- including from Vietnam, India and Bangladesh -- but some were from as far away as Brazil and Kenya. Victims tended to be "middle-class graduates who have limited employment opportunities" at home, Itayi Viriri, IOM regional spokesman for Asia Pacific, told AFP in February. The scam centers were involved in online gambling, cryptocurrency, online money lending and romance applications, Viriri said. Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD said Tuesday traffickers posing as job recruiters would face heavy punishment. "Based on our inspection, they would usually send the people in a large number of 100 or 200 people without proper documents," Mahfud said. In the past year, Indonesia has rescued more than a thousand of its nationals working in online scams in Myanmar and Cambodia. Philippine authorities recently rescued over a thousand people from several Asian nations who were trafficked into the country and also forced to run online scams. The post ASEAN vows action on human traffickers operating online appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»