(Pinararatipikahan na sa Senado) PH-KOREA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

SUPORTADO ng iba’t ibang grupo ang pagratipika sa free trade agreement (FTA) sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at ng South Korea makaraan ang preliminary approval ng Philippine Senate nitong linggo.

“We call for the immediate ratification of the PH-ROK Free Trade Agreement. Every day ofvdelay risks the Philippines losing valuable trade opportunities, particularly in sectors where Korean investments could significantly boost economic growth,” pahayag ng think-tank Stratbase ADRI.

Ang Stratbase ADRI ay nag-host ng isang conference na may titulong “Enhancing Indo-Pacific Security: Philippines-Republic of Korea Cooperation Strategies” bilang bahagi ng selebrasyon ng 75 taon ng diplomatic ties sa pagitan ng dalawang bansa.

Hiniling din ng think tank ang pagbibigay ng prayoridad sa mga negosasyon at sa paglagda sa Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership sa pagitan ng dalawang bansa.

Sinuportahan din ni Kim Gheewhan, presidente ng Korea Foundation, ang pag-apruba sa free trade agreement. Ang foundation ay naging co-hosts sa forum.

“The Korea-Philippines free trade agreement was signed last year on top of Korea-ASEAN free trade. It is to be ratified soon. I hope soon this year,” pahayag niya sa parehong forum. “Economically, bilateral trade between our two countries reached over $13 billion last year.”

Inaprubahan ng Philippine Senate ang isang resolution na sumasang-ayon sa FTA sa second reading noong September 18. Hinog na ito para sa final approval sa susunod na linggo.

Ang Free Trade Agreement sa pagitan ng dalawang bansa ay nilagdaan noong September 7, 2023 sa Jakarta, Indonesia.

“The Philippines, through the Agreement, will expand its FTA network to encourage the entry of sustainable and high-quality investments, and to pursue forward-looking commitments on economic cooperation in priority areas such as industrial development, innovation, research and development, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and creative and cultural industries,” nakasaad sa resolution.

Inendorso rin ng Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Finance, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Justice, Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Economic Development Authority, Bureau of Customs, Board of Investments, Tariff Commission, Philippine Competition Commission, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, at ng Film Development Council of the Philippines ang kasunduan.