(Malaki ang potensiyal – envoy) UK-PH FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

NANINIWALA  si visiting United Kingdom Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to the Philippines Richard Graham na malaki ang potensiyal para sa free trade agreement sa pagitan ng UK at Filipinas sa hinaharap.

Sa isang press briefing kahapon, sinabi ni Graham, na isa ring miyembro ng British parliament, na ang Filipinas ay isang mahalagang trade partner para sa UK at bilang bahagi ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), na target ng British government na magkaroon ng trade deal.

“The trade relations between Manila and London are complementary as UK sources a lot of agricultural products from the Philippines such as tuna, pineapples and coconut-based products, among others, while the Philippines imports high-technology products from the UK such as planes, automotive and consumer goods,” wika ni Graham.

Isusulong ng British go­vernment ang independent trade agreements sa buong mundo sa harap ng pagkalas ng UK sa European Union (EU) sa pagtatapos ng taon.

“We are talking with a lot of countries about our future independent trading relationship and that include market access talks with big countries like China; potential future trade agreements with countries like Japan, Australia, New Zealand, America; and also deeper partnerships and dialogues with countries like the Philippines and other Asean members, which I hope, eventually, in the longer term will lead to a free trade agreement,” ani Graham.

Bagama’t binigyang-diin na ang Singapore at Malaysia ang top trade at investment partners ng UK sa Southeast Asia, sinabi niya na malaki ang interes sa Philippine market ng mga British manufacturing firm na kasalukuyang nag-ooperate sa China.

“I would anticipate for the Philippines that there would be some opportunities for diversification of companies who are doing the manufacturing in China,” anang envoy.

Interesado rin, aniya, ng British companies na pasukin ang business process outsourcing sector ng bansa.

“We just keep making sure that the tax rules are transparent, clear and favorable,” dagdag pa niya.

Samantala, sinabi ni Graham na magpapatuloy pa rin ang trade arrangements sa pagitan ng ­Filipinas at ng UK sa ilalim ng EU Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) matapos na kumalas ang UK sa EU sa end-2020.

“We will roll out that over on the 31st of December. It’s rebranded EU GSP+, but it will be exactly the same, so business as usual,” ani Graham.

Para sa kanyang ika-5 trade and investment visit sa Manila, si Graham ay nakipagpulong kina Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, at Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. PNA