Vietnam president commits to help Phl rice import requirements
HANOI – Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang has committed to help fill the Philippines’ rice import requirements in the next two years.
Tran made the commitment to President Duterte, who wrapped up last night his twoday official visit here.
Duterte and Tran have agreed to intensify the cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam in the areas of agriculture, maritime security and law enforcement.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Tran promised to continue allowing the Philippines to import quality rice to satisfy local requirements.
Vietnamese rice imports represent the biggest or 48 percent of the total. In 2015, the Philippines’ rice importation from Vietnam was pegged at $223.3 million. The Philippines also gets its rice imports from eight other countries.
“In agriculture, we basically ask for – and we thanked also Vietnam for providing us a stable, a quality source of rice. And the President has indicated his gratitude for Vietnam being a reliable source,” Lopez said in a press briefing after the bilateral talks at the State Palace.
“As you know, Vietnam is a source of about 48 percent of our rice imports. So at least we have an assurance that Vietnam will continue to help us with the supply,” he said.
Duterte flew back to Davao at around 8 p.m. last night after a state banquet hosted for him and his official delegation.
While there were no new agreements signed during Duterte’s visit, Lopez said there was mutual understanding that Vietnam would help satisfy the Philippines’ rice import requirements in the next two years.
“The President himself asked for cooperation from the Vietnam people to consider importing products from Philippines as we import rice from Vietnam, essentially to improve also the trade balance that we have with Vietnam,” Lopez said.
Duterte, he said, told the Vietnamese leader that the Philippines can export food and food preparations, as well as high-value processed agriculture products, furniture and metal fabrication.
“In fact, the President also bragged about the very good fine furniture that we have. So a lot of new potentials for exportation to Vietnam to improve the trade balance,” the DTI chief said.
During the talks, Duterte also invited Vietnamese investors to come to the Philippines.
“Right now, there are more Filipino investors entering Vietnam. We have… the likes of the URC, San Miguel, the Ayala group, Jollibee, Splash and a couple of other companies,” he said.
“Now, the President invited in return Vietnamese corporations: invest in the Philippines, we will protect your investors, your investments, contracts will be honored,” he added.
“So, essentially, the President is providing the assurance that investments will be protected as well as providing a more condu- cive investment climate in the country. So very good exchange of support,” Lopez added.
“Another point that the President mentioned – increase the mutual exchange of experts, scholars in the area of education, agriculture, essentially sharing expertise of one country to the other country. So very positive exchanges during the bilateral meeting,” Lopez added.
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said President Duterte has made a giant step towards consolidating ASEAN. He described the President as a “natural born one-on-one diplomat.”