(FILES) President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the exchange of signed agreements aimed at enhancing collaboration in maritime security, cyber technology, and competition law during a joint press conference today.
(Photo from Presidential Communications Office / Facebook)
MELBOURNE — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the Philippines has already signed the second protocol to the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA),
In his intervention for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit Leader's Plenary Session here, Marcos Jr. has expressed his confidence that the agreement will benefit the region's economy and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“I am confident that through this development, the AANZFTA will continue to respond to the evolving multidimensional challenges in the business environment and complement region-to-region efforts to strengthen supply chain resilience, the expansion of trade and investment, inclusivity, and sustainable development," Marcos Jr. said.
He emphasized the advantages the agreement will bring to MSMEs, saying, "The Protocol will indeed benefit micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) since it facilitates their participation in international trade by improving their access to markets and participation in the global value chains, as well as promoting the use of e-commerce."
Building on the momentum generated by the recent CEO Forum and the existing Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement, the President expressed optimism for the future of regional economic cooperation.
"With the momentum from the CEO Forum yesterday, and AANZFTA together with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement, we are confident that we will usher in even more robust economic cooperation within our region and provide a legal framework for a more prosperous future," he said.
Marcos Jr. also welcomed Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, highlighting its potential to strengthen economic ties between ASEAN and Australia.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration in key sectors such as agriculture, food security, the digital economy, infrastructure, tourism, and healthcare.
"These are sectors that are key to achieving a strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure future for Filipinos and ASEAN citizens," Marcos Jr. said.
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