By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — With the signed Free Trade Agreement between the Philippines and ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand, better opportunities arise for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines.
“We are pleased to inform you, Excellencies, that the Philippines has recently signed the second protocol to the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA),” President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced.
Marcos expressed optimism that the AANZFTA would support regional initiatives aimed at enhancing supply chain resilience, promoting trade and investment, inclusivity, and sustainable development, while also addressing the dynamic, multifaceted challenges in the business environment.
“The Protocol will indeed benefit micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as it facilitates their participation in international trade by improving their access to markets, global value chains, and promoting e-commerce,” Marcos highlighted.
“With the momentum from the CEO Forum on Wednesday (06 March 2024), 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 added.
He also welcomed Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
(el Amigo/MNM)
