President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has seen an opportunity where members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) can collaborate as the two regional blocs share similar interests.
According to Marcos, both the ASEAN and GCC — the political and economic alliance of Middle East countries Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — are dynamic, rich in natural and human capital, bound by shared aspirations for prosperity and sustainable development.
Strong potential
“While there is strong potential, it is also clear that our current trade patterns remain limited in scope, concentrated in a narrow band of sectors,” he said.
Marcos suggested to “go beyond” traditional trade and leverage the complementary strengths of each region.
“ASEAN, with its rapidly growing digital economy and youthful, tech-savvy population, can partner with the GCC, whose strengths in energy, investment capital and logistics infrastructure are leading globally. Together, we can co-create resilient supply chains, sustainable energy solutions and innovation-driven ecosystems,” he said.
Shared culinary world
Marcos sees a potential in expanding collaboration between the two regional bodies in the food trade sector, noting that ASEAN and GCC can lead globally in halal trade and standards.
“ASEAN’s diverse halal food industry, coupled with the GCC’s established halal consumer base and certification systems, creates an opportunity to build a seamless, trusted halal value chain,” he said.
Marcos also suggested the establishment of a “mutually-recognized” halal certification regime which can promote trust, reduce regulatory friction and create a powerful export platform for micro, small and medium enterprises and agri-food producers.
Digital trade and e-commerce
With growing digital capabilities, Marcos underscored the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement which paves the way for the possibility of engaging GCC in advancing interoperable digital standards, fintech collaboration, emerging technologies and cross-border e-commerce platforms.
“This is particularly timely as global trade increasingly shifts online and new trade corridors are being shaped by the new technologies,” the Chief Executive said.
Upskilling workers in GCC countries
Marcos expressed optimism that nations comprising the GCC would empower ASEAN workers employed in their countries to receive upskilling opportunities and ensure protection and promotion of their rights and welfare.
The President said that the GCC has 2.7 million professionals and skilled workers coming from ASEAN member-states, two million of whom are Filipinos.
“The GCC is an important region for the Philippines on the aspect of labor mobility,” Marcos said. “They contribute significantly not only to the economies of their host countries, but also to those of the Philippines and the wider ASEAN region.”
