The Philippines is open to opportunities for collaboration with US businesses in the energy, manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology, and business process management sectors, all with an eye towards sustainability.
INSISTING on "lasting ties” between the United States and the Philippines, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. said United States businesses can do much to help the country recover from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
During a working visit of United States-Asean Business Council (USABC) President and CEO Ted Osius as part of the two nations’ 75 years of diplomatic relations Thursday (September 9), Locsin invited Osius to resume business missions to the Philippines as soon as possible to help jumpstart the country's economy.
The top diplomat said investments to the Philippines will "effectively support the country's post-pandemic recovery efforts".
Osius, for his part, noted that there is huge potential for growth in Southeast Asia, with US companies looking at opportunities for diversification in the region, particularly on supply chains.
The Philippine Embassy in Washington DC said Manila remains open to opportunities for collaboration in the energy, manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology, and business process management sectors, all with an eye towards sustainability.
The two further discussed ways to expand the three-decade-old partnership between the Philippines and the USABC, while noting the latter's role in ensuring that US businesses find a reliable trade and investment partner, and hub for their regional operations in the Philippines.
Locsin likewise underscored that President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to restore the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) puts the relationship between Washington DC and Manila back on track and restores the security balance in the Asia-Pacific region.
In turn, Osius said USABC members lauded the chief executive's decision as it gives "fresh impetus" to further broaden the two nations' engagement, especially in the economic sphere.
Locsin also met with US State Secretary Antony Blinken, where the two parties also reaffirmed the importance of its bilateral relationship with the Philippines.
“Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin, Jr. Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the importance of the bilateral relationship,” US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement released Friday (September 10).
Blinken highlighted the importance of freedom of navigation and respect for international law, specifically in the South China Sea.
Locsin and Blinken also discussed matters related to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, economic engagement, and human rights.
Tags: #UnitedStates, #bilateralrelations, #TeodoroLocsinJr, #UnitedStatesAseanBusinessCouncil, #USStateDepartment