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.
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
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
October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
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