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After a seven-year lull, the Philippines could revive its economic
partnership with the Czech Republic, Trade Secretary Peter Favila
said Monday.
The possibility emerged from a bilateral meeting
between President Gloria Arroyo and visiting Czech Prime Minister
Jan Fischer.
Under the revival, Favila said that the
Philippines could export fruits, electronics, minerals and pearls
and rekindle tourism and cultural exchanges between Manila and
Prague.
According to the Trade secretary, the
Philippines and the Czech Republic used to have an economic
partnership agreement in 2002. The agreement, however, was
terminated when the Czech Republic joined the European Union (EU).
“There is a proposal to revive that economic
partnership on a bilateral basis. We would welcome that because we
can now pursue previous discussions that ended in 2004,” he said.
Favila added that the trade enhancement was
proposed during a luncheon in Malacañang in honor of the Czech
prime minister.
“The Prime Minister told the President that
there is a great market for our tropical fruits, even pearls [in the
Czech Republic]. And of course electronics is our No. 1 among
exports there,” he said.
Favila pointed out that overseas development
assistance (ODA) and joint ventures could be enhanced in the
hydroelectric, mining and tourism sectors and for the expansion of
the Metro Rail Transit (MRT). Czech-made air-conditioned train
coaches are being used for the MRT 3 line that plies the North
Avenue (Quezon City)- Baclaran (Pasay City)-North Avenue route.
He said that Fischer was impressed with the
world-class performances of the Philippine Madrigal Singers,
Bayanihan Dancers and pianist Cecille Licad. The prime minister,
Favila added, expressed hope that Filipino cultural artists can
perform in concerts in the Czech Republic.
Ties with Asean
Deputy spokesman Lorelei Fajardo said that the
meeting between President Arroyo and Fischer would strengthen
Europe-Asean relations as well. Asean, or the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations, groups Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
There are fewer than 800 Filipinos in the Czech
Republic and Mrs. Arroyo is interested in increasing the number of
Filipinos workers there.
The Philippines is hoping for technology and
investment transfer as the Czech Republic emerges from recession,
economic spokesman Gary Olivar said.
“We do have good historical relations [with
the Czech Republic, when it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire]
dating back from the times of Dr. Jose Rizal, and we want to restart
from that,” he added.
Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and
the former Czechoslovakia started in October 1973.
Historical links, however, can be traced from
the deep friendship between Rizal, the Philippine national hero, and
professor Ferdinand Blumentritt of Prague, the earliest symbols of
the two countries’ shared values of freedom and respect for
individual liberties.
Despite the termination of the economic
partnership agreement, bilateral trade between the Philippines and
the Czech Republic last year amounted to $151 million, with
Philippine exports mainly of special electronics components,
garments, furniture, tropical fruits and agricultural products.
The Czech Republic also provides official
development assistance to the Philippines through the “Assistance
in Measures Ensuring Drinking Water Supply for Manila” worth 1.3
million euros, and the “Improvement of Waste Management in Naga
City” in Camarines Sur worth 390,000 euros.
-- Angelo S. Samonte
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