PHL, Swiss execs to form economic commission
The Philippines and Switzerland are moving toward establishing a joint economic commission to intensify their economic ties, following their bilateral political consultations in Berne last week.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said officials from both sides met last February 6 in line with the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Swiss Consulate in Manila—the first in Asia, which was put up in 1862.
The DFA said the delegations “highlighted the shared values of democracy and human rights and agreed to intensify economic relations” with a Joint Economic Commission and “a possibility of entering into” a Free Trade Agreement with the European Free Trade Area (EFTA).
It added that the delegations are also planning a trade and investment mission for 2013, as well as the promotion of the bilateral agreement on the exchange of professional and technical trainees, which would allow citizens of the two countries to work in the Philippines and Switzerland for 18 months.
During the meeting, DFA Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda Basilio, head of the Philippine delegation, mentioned the healthy relations between the two countries.
Last year, Switzerland ranked 10th among the largest export markets for the Philippines in Europe, with a total first semester trade of $277.3 million. Also, there are some 60 Swiss companies with total investments valued at $2 billion.
Basilio, who led the Philippine delegation in the gathering, also thanked Switzerland for supporting the candidature of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago to the International Criminal Court and for its assistance of 300,000 Swiss Francs (around P13.9 million) for victims of tropical storm “Sendong” (international name: Washi).
Switzerland also sent six water experts “to help restore clean water service to the affected population,” the DFA said.
For her part, Assistant State Secretary Beat Nobs, head of the Swiss delegation, thanked the Philippines for its “active participation… in the multilateral arena” and said they seek “to further increase relations in the field of good governance, human rights, and UN (United Nations) reform.”
The DFA said there are some 10,000 Filipinos in Switzerland, most of them working in the healthcare sector. - RJMD/VVP, GMA News
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said officials from both sides met last February 6 in line with the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Swiss Consulate in Manila—the first in Asia, which was put up in 1862.
The DFA said the delegations “highlighted the shared values of democracy and human rights and agreed to intensify economic relations” with a Joint Economic Commission and “a possibility of entering into” a Free Trade Agreement with the European Free Trade Area (EFTA).
It added that the delegations are also planning a trade and investment mission for 2013, as well as the promotion of the bilateral agreement on the exchange of professional and technical trainees, which would allow citizens of the two countries to work in the Philippines and Switzerland for 18 months.
During the meeting, DFA Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda Basilio, head of the Philippine delegation, mentioned the healthy relations between the two countries.
Last year, Switzerland ranked 10th among the largest export markets for the Philippines in Europe, with a total first semester trade of $277.3 million. Also, there are some 60 Swiss companies with total investments valued at $2 billion.
Basilio, who led the Philippine delegation in the gathering, also thanked Switzerland for supporting the candidature of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago to the International Criminal Court and for its assistance of 300,000 Swiss Francs (around P13.9 million) for victims of tropical storm “Sendong” (international name: Washi).
Switzerland also sent six water experts “to help restore clean water service to the affected population,” the DFA said.
For her part, Assistant State Secretary Beat Nobs, head of the Swiss delegation, thanked the Philippines for its “active participation… in the multilateral arena” and said they seek “to further increase relations in the field of good governance, human rights, and UN (United Nations) reform.”
The DFA said there are some 10,000 Filipinos in Switzerland, most of them working in the healthcare sector. - RJMD/VVP, GMA News
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