Aquino banks on FTAs for more jobs, trade
BusinessMirror, Philippines
Aquino banks on FTAs for more jobs, trade
By Estrella Torres / Reporter
9 August 2010
President Aquino expressed hope that the free-trade agreements (FTAs) signed and being negotiated by member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) with dialogue partners will provide jobs for Filipino workers as well as facilitate trade and investments within the region.
Speaking at the 43rd founding of Asean at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Mr. Aquino said his administration will fulfill the country’s international commitments without compromising the interests of Filipinos.
He said the Asean Charter is an important platform in fulfilling the political and economic engagements of Asean members, particularly the establishment of a single-market economy by 2015.
He said the Philippines will remain at the forefront in pushing for the rule of law, with human rights as the primordial provision of the Asean Charter.
“Today, the Asean Charter is more of an aspiration rather than a reality. My administration will do its part in the long process of creating a more binding commitment to our mutual economic and political interests,” said President Aquino during his speech at the ceremony held at the DFA on Monday.
He said he would ensure that the FTAs signed before his administration “will increase employment and expand the market for our goods and that of other nations. Growth would be enhanced by the ability of these free-trade agreements to enhance mobility of capital, products and people.”
In particular, the Philippines, he said, will push for the establishment of the Asean infrastructure-connectivity project that harmonizes the regional body’s plans in transportation, information and communications technology, energy-power grids and tourism.
“The Philippines has major interests here, with its existing nautical highway, or Roro [roll on/roll off] project. Once it is implemented, Asean connectivity will bridge our nation to our neighbors, shorten transfer distances and open more economic opportunities for more people,”
Asean groups the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Burma/Myanmar. It has signed FTAs with dialogue partners China, Japan, South Korea as well as with India and Australia-New Zealand.
Individual members are also negotiating FTAs with the European Union and are looking at future trade engagements with Arab countries.
President Aquino, meanwhile, emphasized the need to ensure peace and security in the region by continued adherence to the Asean Declaration of Conduct in the South China Sea.
(With M. Gonzalez)
