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Philippines


PH, Chile report progress on free trade talks
The Philippines and Chile concluded their 2nd Joint Economic Committee (JEC) meeting, focusing on strengthening economic ties. They explored the potential for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to boost trade and investment in areas like services, innovation, R&D, and education.
Labor, environment pushed at FTA talks with EU
The Philippines and the EU are negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA). The first round of talks focused on trade in goods, services, investment, and other areas. Both sides aim to conclude the negotiations soon. The Philippines hopes to increase market access for its services in Europe. The EU and the Philippines previously negotiated an FTA but stalled in 2017.
PH, UAE resume FTA talks; completion of technical matters eyed this week
The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates on Monday resumed the negotiations for their planned free trade agreement, with both sides striving to complete the technical discussions this week.
Philippines, EU to resume FTA talks
The Philippines and the European Union (EU) are set to resume next week the negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), which the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) wants to conclude by 2027 to ensure continued preferential market access to the bloc.
PHL hoping to wrap up CEPA talks with UAE by early Nov
The Philippines is aiming to finalize negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates by early November. Both countries are set to exchange their second requests and offers before the upcoming negotiations, focusing on market access and remaining text issues.
Philippines, UAE to continue FTA negotiations in October – official
Further progress has been made during the negotiations for the free trade agreement between the Philippines and United Arab Emirates, with the continuation of the discussions scheduled for the fourth week of October.
IPEF expected to be up and running next year
The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) for Prosperity is expected to be fully functional next year, with the trade component of the agreement to be substantially complete by the end of 2024.
Senate ratifies PHL-South Korea FTA
The Philippine Senate has ratified a free trade agreement with South Korea. This move will reduce tariffs on various goods between the two countries. The Philippines aims to increase exports of bananas and processed pineapples to South Korea, while South Korean automakers are expected to benefit from reduced tariffs on their products.
PHL-Canada FTA goals include expanded chip, garment access
The Philippines is seeking to negotiate a free trade agreement (FTA) with Canada, focusing on liberalized trade in semiconductors, electronics, garments, and farm products. The country aims to optimize market access for these products and strengthen the competitiveness of its agricultural exports. The Philippines is also pursuing FTAs with the UAE, EU, and Chile, as well as seeking to join the CPTPP and negotiate other regional trade agreements.
Government lays groundwork for Philippines-UAE FTA
The Tariff Commission is set to conduct a public consultation this week for the planned free trade agreement between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
PH eyes FTAs with LatAm, African countries
The Philippines is expanding its free trade agreements to include Latin American and African countries. Undersecretary Allan Gepty of the Department of Trade and Industry announced plans for potential FTAs with African nations and ongoing studies for an FTA with Chile to broaden engagements in Latin America.
PH says ‘significant progress’ made in latest UAE FTA talks
Philippine trade official said that there was “significant progress” made during the second round of negotiations for the planned free trade agreement (FTA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), citing both parties are still on track to finish the pact by year-end.
Second round of PH-UAE trade talks set this week
The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates will hold a second round of free trade talks this week, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said, with the aim of concluding negotiations by October or November this year.
Readout of the US-Philippines trade and investment framework agreement (TIFA) meeting
During the TIFA meeting, the United States and the Philippines discussed a range of bilateral trade and investment issues, including agriculture, labor, government procurement, intellectual property, environment, automotive safety standards, and supply chains.
EU, PH will establish free trade agreements before end of Marcos admin
The European Union (EU) and the Philippines are eyeing to establish the EU-PH Free Trade Agreement (FTA) before the Marcos administration ends. The Philippines government discussed the status of the formal negotiations for the PH-EU FTA, which will resume in the third quarter of 2024.
Hungary’s EU presidency to back ‘quick’ FTA talks with PH: FM
Hungary, as the incoming president of the Council of the European Union, will push for the early conclusion of the bloc’s free trade agreement talks with the Philippines, its visiting foreign minister said.
PH, Qatar set to finalize investment agreement this year
The Philippines and Qatar are on the cusp of finalizing an investment promotion and protection agreement (IPPA), signaling a commitment to strengthen economic ties.
RCEP conditionalities critical for agriculture
The Philippines’ membership in RCEP is conditional on implementing six measures in the agriculture sector. The Senate hearing is an important activity to ensure that these conditionalities are implemented. If not met, the ratification states: “The Senate of the Philippines may recommend to the President the withdrawal of the agreement.”
RCEP members encouraged to harmonize rules
Members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership can further improve the alignment of operational guidelines across key sectors such as competition policy and trade in services to elevate mutual openness, said trade experts and foreign scholars on Sunday.
PHL seeks FTA with US on cyberspace, digital technology; trade deal with Japan
The Philippines is considering forging a bilateral free-trade agreement (FTA) with the United States on cyberspace and digital technology.