The government asked the Philippine Institute of Development Studies to conduct a feasibility study on a free trade agreement with Taiwan. Antonio Basilio, managing director and resident representative of the Manila Economic Cultural Office, said a free trade agreement with Taipei would provide agricultural products access into the large Taiwanese market. Meco serves as the de facto embassy of Manila in Taipei. Basilio said at present, a number of Philippine farm products were restricted from entering Taiwan because of sanitary and phytosanitary issues.
