President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday met with members of the Economic Cooperation Committees of Japan in Malacañang to strengthen business relations with Japanese investors and businesses.

Palace press officer, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the meeting was part of the 42nd annual joint meeting between the Philippines and Japan.

“Aside from strengthening ties, the meeting was also aimed at exploring economic and business opportunities for the benefit of both countries’ economies,” she said.

Meeting agenda

The exchange focused on trade, investment, infrastructure development, and the enhancement of human resources and tourism between the two countries, said Castro.

Present during the meeting were Philippines-Japan Economic Operation Committee (PHILJECC) Chairman Alfred V. Ty, Japan-Philippines Economic Cooperation Committee (JPECC) chairman Masumi Kakinoki, JPECC co-Chairman Seiji Imai, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya, PHILJEC Co-Chairman Ferdinand Ferrer, Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Garcia-Albano, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, Depdev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, among others.

Special economic coooperaton agreement

In 1974, PHILJEC and JPECC signed a special economic cooperation agreement in a bid to strengthen mutually beneficial ties between the two Asian countries through expanded trade, economic cooperation, and scientific and technological exchange.

The partnership promotes the sharing of economic information, foreign trade data, and regulatory frameworks, while supporting business initiatives in both countries.