China-Asean FTA still a work in progress - DTI official

NANNING, China – A Philippine government official said the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement is “still a work in progress.”

Trade and Industry Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said they are hopeful that within 10 years, the agreements will be implemented.

“It’s still a work in progress, the agreements in the China-ASEAN FTA,” Maglaya said in a recent interview on the sidelines of the recently concluded 8th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) held in this capital city of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The exposition was co-sponsored by the ministries of commerce/trade and industry of China, the 10 ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat.

Maglaya, after the opening of the exposition last week, met with Li Daqiu, vice chairman of the Guangxi Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

During the meeting, Li noted both countries could further discuss cooperation in areas of agriculture and tourism.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Maglaya said Philippine products have different timelines under the agreement.

“Just because we have these trade agreements, doesn’t necessarily mean we can totally open up (our products),” she said.

“There are lists (of products) we can open up, there are products that we cannot,” she added.

Maglaya said the government needs to balance the situation, considering the local industry.

“We have the 10-year period but we have to find out if the local industry will be ready for competition,” she said.