DA NANG, VIETNAM — President Rodrigo Duterte will be pushing for the greater need for “real inclusivity” as he arrives here to attend the 2017 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, a senior diplomat said.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Manuel AJ Teehankee said the President was expected to champion the lessons of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations on regional economic integration when he speaks today before top business leaders during the Apec CEO Summit.
“So there are best practices that can be learned from both sides and Apec is known to be a good incubator of economic and business ideas,” Teehankee told reporters.
While Asean is indeed a model of regional economic integration, the region is working to “ensuring prosperity” for all its citizens, he said.
“So in Asean, there is a very important theme of integrating MSMEs, small, medium, micro industries into the larger economy,” he added.
Calling Duterte’s speech as a “unique” engagement, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez likewise said the Apec will be focusing on how to be a driver of growth for integrated economies and giving opportunities for small businesses to thrive during the Asean integration.
Aside from Duterte’s talk with CEOs, he is expected to meet with the leaders of Apec member economies along with some other bilateral talks, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Vietnamese Pres Tran Dai Quang, Hong Kong China Chief Executive Carrie Lam, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
If Duterte’s schedule permits, he will likewise meet with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet.
Duterte will follow up on Russia’s commitment of importing P2.5 billion worth of agricultural products made in a bilateral meeting of both nations during last year’s Apec Leaders Meeting in Lima, Peru.
Lopez said they were also looking forward to forge a free trade agreement deal with the US.
The Philippines currently receives preferential treatment for select import items under the US Generalized System of Preferences.