Rody seeks better APEC-Asean link

DA NANG – President Duterte has underscored the importance of collaboration between members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), saying it would unlock more opportunities for business and trade.

He made the observation at an informal dialogue between APEC and ASEAN leaders, as he stressed that regional economic integration will create economies of scale and efficiencies in the market, among others.

“Its biggest dividend is the potential to reduce poverty,” he said.

“An integrated region like ASEAN, which has developed the tools to achieve this, is a good place to start,” he said.

Duterte said the ASEAN can be a hub for key industries and services in the Asia-Pacific region.

“These include, among others, digital and maritime connectivity, efficient logistics, disaster preparedness and management, technology, MSMEs and inclusive growth,” Duterte said.

He said the Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade placed the Philippines in a central position in the Asia Pacific region.

“I see two initial ways that ASEAN strengthens APEC. Inspired by APEC’s model of open regionalism, ASEAN has opened the door wider to the eventual achievement of liberalized trade in Asia and the Pacific,” Duterte added.

Collaborating with APEC on common areas of interest, the Chief Executive said ASEAN can potentially play the role of a regional pathfinder for APEC’s initiatives.

“ASEAN can also serve as APEC’s institutional memory and provide consistency to APEC’s role as an incubator of ideas and driver of regional economic growth and integration,” he said.

Duterte noted that the APEC and ASEAN integration will be especially significant at this time because ASEAN is celebrating a milestone – its 50th anniversary – while APEC is preparing for its 30th anniversary in 2019. He said these events “are opportunities for positive change.”