Time for an EU-PHL free trade deal — ECCP
GMA News, Philippines
Time for an EU-PHL free trade deal — ECCP
20 December 2012
The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) on Thursday said it is committed to support a Philippine-European Union free trade agreement, which it expects to possibly come about in the next three years.
“The ECCP can blend with the two sides and aid in having both the EU and the Philippines negotiate, agree on parameters, address issues, and eventually come to terms,” ECCP executive vice president Henry Schumacher said in a statement.
The chamber can help in the process, and the three-year time frame for signing a deal, said Schumacher, adding that the time is ripe for the two sides to starts negotiations on the scope of the agreement.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario earlier said the Philippines is committed to having negotiations move forward, citing increased investments, trade in goods and services, and tourist arrivals as among the benefits each party tend to gain after an agreement has been sealed.
In the case of the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, Del Rosario said Japan turned out as the top foreign investor in the Philippines, second in tourist arrivals and No. 1 in official development assistance.
“If the FTA (free trade agreement) with EU is signed, more European investors will come and do business here,” Del Rosario added. — VS, GMA News
