Philippines, Australia Agree To Boost Trade, Investments

CANBERRA, Australia --- The Philippines and Australia have agreed to increase trade and investment flows, particularly citing the potential of the mining sector to boost development.
President Benigno S. Aquino III met Prime Minister Julia Gillard at the Parliament House and agreed to resist trade protectionism and promote stable business environment in their respective countries.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of a new air services agreement between the two countries to help lay the groundwork for increased trade and people-to-people links.
Also tackled were the historic Bangsamoro peace agreement, efforts to combat transnational crimes and counter-terrorism and development aid.
“The leaders agreed the economic relationship between Australia and the Philippines holds great promise, building on the strong foundation provided by the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area,” a joint statement of Aquino and Gillard read.
“Both leaders also shared the objective of increasing two-way trade and investment flows and agreed on the importance of a stable and predictable regulatory environment,” it added.
Gillard praised Aquino’s reform agenda to promote good governance, transparency and accountability in government.
“The Leaders agreed to continue to work in regional and multilateral forums to advance regional economic integration and resist trade protectionism,” the statement read.
The two leaders likewise tackled the potential of the mining sector to contribute to the Philippines’ development.
“Prime Minister Gillard described the mining industry’s role in Australia’s economic success, its leadership in environmentally sustainable and socially responsible mining, and the contribution Australian companies could play in the responsible development of the Philippine mining sector, particularly the development of Mindanao,” the statement read.
Gillard likewise welcomed the Philippines’ decision to apply to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. “The leaders also noted the development cooperation activities provided by Australia that will support responsible mining in the Philippines,” the statement read.
Presidential Communications Development Secretary Ramon Carandang said the President mentioned that the government has revised rules on mining to safeguard the environment.
Carandang, speaking to reporters here, said Australia understands that no new mining investments will be approved in the Philippines until a new mining tax is passed by Congress. “They all also know that there’s pending legislation. As we’ve announced before, we want to file a bill with Congress that would allow the state, the Philippine state, to have a greater share of the revenues from mining,” he said.
In the same statement, the two leaders welcomed the recent entry into force of the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement between Australia and the Philippines.
They also hailed the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Combatting Transnational Crime and Developing Police Cooperation between the Australian Federal Police and the Philippine National Police. “The leaders noted the high level of cooperation between Australia and the Philippines on counter-terrorism,” the statement read.
Gillard likewise thanked Aquino for supporting Australia’s bid to become a member of the United Nations Security Council.
The leaders also cited the development aid given by Australia to the Philippines to help reduce poverty.
They also highlighted a program that will help improve access to education in Mindanao which may help promote peace and stability in the region.
“BEAM-ARMM (Basic Education Assistance to Mindanao – Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao), will support the most disadvantaged conflict-affected communities. The program will introduce community-based education in remote communities, integrate health and hygiene programs in schools, develop technical and vocational training for out-of-school youth, and increase access to quality early childhood and basic education,” the statement read.
After the meeting with Gillard, the President laid a wreath at the Australian War Monument and later toured the place. He also attended a state banquet hosted by Gillard at the Parliament House.
Early in the day, he met Governor General Quentin Bryce at the Government House where he was given a 21-gun salute.
On Thursday, the President will travel to Sydney for a series of meetings with business executives from Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Company of Manila, Macquarie, Austal, and Telstra. He will also deliver speeches before the Philippine-Australia Business Forum, the Asia Society of Australia, and the Australia-Philippine Business Council.
On Friday, Aquino will lead the unveiling of a statue of Dr. Jose Rizal in Campbeltown City and later meet with the Filipino community. There are around 225,000 Filipinos living in Australia while some 6,000 Filipino students are enrolled in Australian schools.
Before flying back home, Aquino will attend a special counter-terrorism demonstration by Australian forces.
Australian officials lauded the Philippine government for forging a historic peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, saying it could be a “model” for other peace processes in the region.
The Australian Prime Minister and her ministers pledged support to the peace process in Mindanao, according to Philippine officials.
“They not only welcomed our Framework Agreement and congratulated the President for concluding the Framework Agreement but they did say that our Framework Agreement can be used as a model for other peace processes in the region,” Philippine Ambassador to Australia Belen Anota said in a press briefing after the meeting of the two leaders.
“I think that’s a very good sign of Australia’s very strong support for us, a strong affirmation of the accomplishments of the President,” she added.
Australia and the Philippines are also exploring possible cooperation on disaster relief and rehabilitation under an existing military agreement, Carandang said.
“One of the things that we might look into is enhancing our humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. That’s something that has been very close to the President’s concerns,” Carandang told Manila-based reporters here.
“You know that when we go to ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), when we talk to other countries in the region, the President always brings up humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. That is one of the things that we’re thinking of moving forward under the SOFA,” he added.
Carandang said at the start of the meeting, Australia expressed gratitude for the ratification of SOFA, that sets conditions for deploying Australian troops to the Philippines, by the Senate last July.
Meanwhile, from New Zealand to Australia, President Aquino is being hounded by people seeking the release of elephant Mali from captivity in the Philippines.
A man dressed in an elephant costume launched a protest seeking the freedom of Mali, now 36 years old and weighing seven tons, while the Philippine leader started his three-day state visit here.
The lone protester carried a placard that read “Please help save Mali” while Aquino’s security convoy made its way to the Government House where he met with Governor General Quentin Bryce. The man was allowed to stand outside the Government House as guards stood a close watch.
Before flying to Canberra, the President was also met by a small group of protesters calling for Mali’s freedom from the cramped enclosure at the Manila Zoo while he was visiting New Zealand. The supporters of Mali kept hounding Aquino in his stopovers in Auckland and Wellington.
Mali has been at the Manila zoo for the past 32 years, or since she was orphaned at 4 years old. The elephant was donated by the Sri Lankan government in 1980 to then first lady Imelda Marcos. Several groups have appealed to President Aquino that Mali be freed from captivity and allowed to live in the United States sanctuary for aging elephants.