The Philippines has thrown its support to the initiatives set by the Association of Southeast Asean Nations (Asean) in advancing the group’s objectives on digitalization and on environment protection and engaged bilateral partners for stronger economic cooperation in various meetings held in Semarang, Indonesia on August 19.
In a statement, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said Asean Economic Ministers (AEM) at their 55th meeting finalized key economic deliverables, such as the Framework and Study for a Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), the Asean Strategy on Carbon Neutrality, and the Blue Economy Framework, among others, which are all in line with the implementation of the Asean Economic Community Blueprint 2025. These deliverables will then be submitted for endorsement in the upcoming 43rd Asean Summit in September.
In the meeting, Pascual said the ministers also endorsed the Framework for Negotiating the DEFA which is envisioned to accelerate Asean’s digital transformation agenda through comprehensive agreement on digital trade, cross-border data flows, competition, and digital payments, among others.
The Asean Strategy on Carbon Neutrality outlines eight regional strategies to address key obstacles to decarbonization and accelerate the work towards carbon neutrality: green value chain integration, circular economy supply chains, green infrastructure and market, carbon markets, standards, and green talent and capital, among others.
ATIGA upgrade
At the 37th Meeting of the Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA) Council, Pascual relayed the Philippines’ call to fellow members of Asean to address long-standing issues that affect the availment of preferential market access in the region through the upgrade of Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA).
Pascual said the upgrade of the ATIGA is an opportune time to address trade issues within the region.
He recommended the establishment of a mechanism to address the timely resolution of these trade issues to fully realize the benefits of ATIGA and encourage stakeholders to utilize the agreement.
At the 28th AEM Retreat meeting in 2022 , negotiations were launched for upgrading ATIGA which member-states have been implementing since 2010.
The ATIGA upgrade, coming in the wake of the pandemic, seeks to ensure that Asean remains relevant, modern, forward-looking, and more responsive to regional and global developments and able to contribute to increasing the efficient utilization of ATIGA for businesses to benefit from regional integration.
As part of the country’s efforts to digitalize trade, Pascual also reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to the enhancement of the National Single Window or TradeNet.
He reported t the Philippines is on track to fully issue and accept electronic CO Form D within the year.
Pascual told the meeting, the Department of Trade and Industry works closely with the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Finance on this endeavor.
UK support
Pascual also said the Philippines backs the United Kingdom’s proposal to establish a Joint Trade and Economic Committee (JETCO) with the Philippines.
JETCO will serve as a platform to enhance economic relations, promote more trade and investments, and address related issues.
As the country coordinator for Asean-UK Economic Relations, Pascual met with United Kingdom Minister Nigel Huddleston to welcome the projects and initiatives of the UK this year in support of Asean’s objectives on digital transformation and inclusive growth, among others.
Direct flights, RoRo
Pascual in a meeting with Asean-Business Advisory Council chair Arsjad Rasjid tackled the Philippines’ interest in exploring more cooperation with Indonesia in the area of green financing and technology, the possible revival of direct flights between Davao and Manado, and the feasibility of resuming the Roll On Roll Off (RoRo) operations in the area.
The Philippines and Indonesia have forged as early as 1972 an air transport agreement but flights have been erratic.
The direct flights between Davao City and Manado were revived in September 2019.
In 2017, both countries launched the Asean
Davao-General Santos-Bitung RoRo Shipping Network aimed at boosting trade, tourism and investments. Irma Isip
