VIENTIANE (via PLDT) – President Aquino will take advantage of his first attendance to the Asia-Europe Meeting by wooing local businessmen here and European investors as well in declaring the Philippines now “open for business.”
Assistant secretary for media relations Rey Marfil said this is the opportunity for the administration to show significant changes in the government, particularly on the much improved business climate, where there is now a level playing field.
“There is so much confidence in our economy now,” Marfil said.
He said Aquino is expected to court investors in Philippines’ industries of agriculture, textile, mining, energy and tourism.
Aquino will showcase the reforms he has implemented to fight corruption and alleviate the lives of Filipino people, as well as the administration’s accomplishments in good governance and inclusive growth.
For one, according to the Philippines National Statistics Coordination Data (PNSCD), now is the best time for Lao People’s Democratic Republic businesses to invest in the country, as there has been no recorded investment by Laotian businesses in the Philippines since 2010.
“However, the Philippines hopes to strengthen its relationship with Lao through the promotion of specific sectors such as in agriculture, textile, mining, energy and tourism,” the PNSCD said.
The PNSCD said that in 2011, the total trade between the two countries was pegged at $698,597 with exports and imports recorded at $611,476 and $87,121, respectively.
Exports to Lao PDR consisted of cigarette paper, medicaments containing vitamin C, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, disinfectants and semiconductor devices (diodes).
Protecting OFWs
Aquino is also expected to push for the strengthening and protection of overseas Filipino workers now living in European countries when he attends today’s ASEM-9 convention here.
Ambassador Maria Lumen Isleta said this issue, along with energy security, would most probably be the focus of Aquino when he joins his fellow heads of state in the summit.
“There is quite a lot of items on the agenda for ASEM-9 such as discussions on climate change, sustainable development, the Eurozone crisis, economic and financial crisis, among others,” Isleta said.
Isleta said, however, that she thinks “the President will want to focus on priority issues for the Philippines with Europe and this will pertain to migration and also energy security.”
She added that since a greater number of Filipinos have begun to live and work in European countries, it is only logical for Aquino to convey to European leaders the importance of protecting their rights and wellbeing.
There are around 550 OFWs here who work in the mining, education, consultancy, accounting and medical fields. She said the demand for Filipino labor is high as Filipinos are regarded as hardworking, honest and friendly, she said.
In his departure statement in Manila, Aquino said it is imperative for the government to look after the welfare of migrant workers at a time of global uncertainties.
“It is but natural for countries to prioritize the plight of their people in the midst of an economic crisis. In such situation, our countrymen who do not seek anything but to give a good life to their families, may be caught in the middle of political issues,” the President said.
“We should stand for the protection of the rights of thousands of OFWs in Europe. Our regions benefited from the diligence of our migrant workers. Instead of building barricades, it is time to craft a better relationship that would benefit anyone,” he added.
Aquino said Asian and European leaders should discuss pressing issues and to work together in finding ways to address them.
“We will not waste any opportunity to strengthen further and to grow our relationship with other countries,” he said.
There are more than 746,000 Filipinos living and working in Europe as of last year. Around 25 percent of Filipino seafarers abroad are employed by European-flagged vessels.
Remittances from OFWs kept the Philippine economy afloat by boosting domestic consumption amid a weak external demand.
Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed OFWs sent home $20.1 billion worth of remittances last year. Of this, $2.1 billion came from migrant workers in Europe.
Opportunities
At the same time, Aquino is also expected to call for an enhanced Asia-Europe economic partnership in the midst of global economic uncertainties.
Aquino said the ASEM would also discuss ways to resolve the West Philippine Sea dispute peacefully.
“The ASEM will also discuss how good governance can grow the economy and will gather views to craft a peaceful and fair agreement on the West Philippine Sea,” the President said.
“All these seek to achieve one aim – to stir Asia and Europe towards a direction where we will progress and lead in the world economy,” he added.
ASEM began in 1996 and was formed to enhance the ties between Asia and Europe. It is currently composed of 48 partners – all 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), nine other Asian countries, the 27 member states of the European Union, the European Commission and the ASEAN Secretariat.
Norway, Switzerland and Bangladesh will be admitted into the forum in the Laos meeting.
Aquino said he would also hold bilateral meetings with leaders of the European Union, Switzerland, Poland, Norway and Italy. He said among the topics to be discussed are politics, economy, defense and the welfare of OFWs.
“I look forward to the exchange of ideas in the discussions and the agreements to be forged from these meetings,” Aquino said.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Buensuceso said Aquino is scheduled to meet with Presidents Herman Van Rompuy of the European Council, Jose Manuel Barroso of the European Commission and Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf of Switzerland, and with Prime Ministers Mario Monti of Italy, Jen Stoltenberg of Norway and Donald Tusk of Poland.
The meetings with EU leaders are expected to touch matters on maritime training and certification system and compliance to international air safety standards.
Aquino’s meeting with his Italian counterpart is expected to tackle ways to strengthen bilateral ties in defense and financial management.
Aquino is expected to brief the Norwegian leader about the developments in the peace process with communist rebels and to discuss labor cooperation.
Aquino’s meeting with the Polish leader will focus on exploring opportunities for cooperation in defense and higher education.
Aquino will also meet with the Swiss leader to discuss disaster risk reduction and human rights, including the compensation bill for martial law victims. – With Alexis Romero