ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 29 (PIA) — The Regional Development Council (RDC)-9 conducted a forum on ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) on Tuesday to enlighten all stakeholders in the region on the 2015 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) integration.
RDC-9 Acting Chairperson, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-9 Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-9 OIC-Regional Director Dr. Sitti Amina M. Jain brought in four experts in trade and economics to help participants better comprehend the "ASEAN Integration.”
First to speak was DTI-Bureau of Export Trade Promotion Director Senen M. Perlada who gave the ASEAN Integration overview and the country’s Free Trade Agreements with neighbouring ASEAN and non-ASEAN countries; the benefits of that these agreements bring not just to the country but to the region in general.
DTI Assistant Secretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo followed, focusing on Advancing Philippine Engagement in AEC and Enhancing Philippine Competitiveness, Empowering Business.
Rodolfo, head of the DTI’s Industry Development and Trade Policy Group, said, "ASEAN 2015 is a continuing process, a journey, and an evolution rather than a revolution. This goes beyond 2015.”
He said ASEAN 2015 envisions a united ASEAN where 10 countries work as one to become a very competitive region in the world economy by becoming a single market and production base. This will also bring equitable economic development in the region.
Dr. Erlinda M. Medalla of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), on the other hand, talked about achieving AEC 2015 through Trade Liberalization and Facilitation, and was followed by Dr. Adoracion Navarro, also of PIDS, touching on Infrastructure and Logistics as the country moves towards AEC 2015.
Dr. Navarro revealed that there is much to be done in terms of infrastructure and facilities in the country. She mentioned the need to improve seaports here in Mindanao as it is nearer to the BIMP-EAGA region. She said Cambodia has better infrastructure and facilities than the Philippines and this should serve as motivation to upgrade the country’s facility to meet all challenges of AEC integration.
Present during the forum are the business sector leaders, local chief executives and concerned government agencies in the region. (FPG/MVC/PIA9-ZBST) //
