RP economic zones offered as alternative distribution hubs for NZ dairy products
Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila said here Tuesday night the government has invited New Zealand to consider the Philippines as an alternative distribution hub for its dairy products in the regional markets.
Favila disclosed this in a press briefing after the bilateral meeting Tuesday evening between the Philippines and New Zealand spearheaded by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and visiting Prime Minister Helen Clark at the Bohol Beach Club here.
"We took the occasion to invite the Prime Minister to look at the Philippines as a possible alternative distribution or processing hub for the New Zealand dairy products in the regional markets," Favila said.
He said the New Zealand leader has been informed of the strategic locations of the Philippines' economic zones such as those in Subic in Zambales and Clark in Pampanga, both in Central Luzon.
The trade secretary explained that the country's economic zones would be attractive logistics centers for the dairy producers of New Zealand.
Although bilateral trade between the two countries has increased over the past five years, Favila said, the trade balance continues to be in favor of New Zealand because of its world-famous dairy products.
In 2005, Favila said Manila's total trade with Wellington reached 315 million US dollars, with majority of the purchases consisting of dairy products.
"Of course the trade balance is in favor of New Zealand becuse we buy practically 90 percent of our dairy product requirements from New Zealand," Favila added.
Despite this trend, Favila said, the Philippines is still grateful to New Zealand for continuously importing Philippine products such as bananas, pineapples and communication equipment, including cellular mobile phones.
During the bilateral meeting, Favila said, President Arroyo and Prime Minister Clark also touched on the ongoing various free trade agreements among the ASEAN countries, wherein New Zealand is about to conclude FTAs with Thailand and Malaysia, and is currently on bilateral negotiations with Chile and Singapore.
"And Prime Minister Clark also took time to discuss with us the development in the World Trade Organization (WTO) which is entering final phase in Geneva," Favila said.
He also said that President Arroyo told the New Zealand prime minister that being a key player in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), "we will be supportive of the initiatives of the trade agreements among the ASEAN members." Bayanihan.org
Favila disclosed this in a press briefing after the bilateral meeting Tuesday evening between the Philippines and New Zealand spearheaded by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and visiting Prime Minister Helen Clark at the Bohol Beach Club here.
"We took the occasion to invite the Prime Minister to look at the Philippines as a possible alternative distribution or processing hub for the New Zealand dairy products in the regional markets," Favila said.
He said the New Zealand leader has been informed of the strategic locations of the Philippines' economic zones such as those in Subic in Zambales and Clark in Pampanga, both in Central Luzon.
The trade secretary explained that the country's economic zones would be attractive logistics centers for the dairy producers of New Zealand.
Although bilateral trade between the two countries has increased over the past five years, Favila said, the trade balance continues to be in favor of New Zealand because of its world-famous dairy products.
In 2005, Favila said Manila's total trade with Wellington reached 315 million US dollars, with majority of the purchases consisting of dairy products.
"Of course the trade balance is in favor of New Zealand becuse we buy practically 90 percent of our dairy product requirements from New Zealand," Favila added.
Despite this trend, Favila said, the Philippines is still grateful to New Zealand for continuously importing Philippine products such as bananas, pineapples and communication equipment, including cellular mobile phones.
During the bilateral meeting, Favila said, President Arroyo and Prime Minister Clark also touched on the ongoing various free trade agreements among the ASEAN countries, wherein New Zealand is about to conclude FTAs with Thailand and Malaysia, and is currently on bilateral negotiations with Chile and Singapore.
"And Prime Minister Clark also took time to discuss with us the development in the World Trade Organization (WTO) which is entering final phase in Geneva," Favila said.
He also said that President Arroyo told the New Zealand prime minister that being a key player in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), "we will be supportive of the initiatives of the trade agreements among the ASEAN members." Bayanihan.org
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
8:12 AM
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