by Pia Lee Brago, Philstar, May 8, 2016
The Philippines has signed a free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) composed of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.
Trade Secretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. signed the agreement with EFTA states on April 28 in Berne, Switzerland.
Present during the signing was Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein Joselito Jimeno.
During the signing ceremony, the Philippines and the EFTA states noted their significant economic relations while stressing the importance of the agreement in further strengthening such relationship.
Under the FTA, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the Philippines can directly supply some products that EFTA currently imports from ASEAN or from the rest of the world, including frames and mounting for spectacles, parts of gas turbines, ball bearings, hydraulic power engines, babies’ garments, undergarments, dresses; among others.
“The PH-EFTA FTA is expected to boost the flow of trade and commercial exchanges between the Philippines and EFTA countries,” Jimeno said.
In November 2013, the Philippines formally sat down with the EFTA states and announced its interest to undertake negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement.
This was followed by the signing in June 2014 of the Joint Declaration on Cooperation, which formalized the negotiation process.
With a combined population of over 13 million and a combined gross domestic product of $1.2 trillion, EFTA states are the world’s 9th largest merchandise trader and the 5th largest trader in commercial services.
March –
IT’S WOMEN’S MONTH!
“Respect and support women
every day of the year/s!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week;
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and “
Made-in-the-Philippines Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
March 4: Employee Appreciation Day
March 15: World Consumer Rights Day
March 18: Global Recycling Day
March 21: International Day for the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination
March 23: International Day for the Right to the Truth
Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations
and for the Dignity of Victims
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the
Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 27: Earth Hour
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
