DTI to Strengthen Economic Cooperation with Pakistan

MANILA—Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez led discussions on further economic cooperation with Pakistan during the virtual courtesy call of Ambassador-Designate Imitiaz Ahmad Kasi on 14 May 2021. The meeting tackled opportunities to enhance trade between the two countries, especially on agricultural products such as rice and potatoes. Possible cooperation arrangement to support the country’s garments export capacity was also discussed.

Ambassador Kasi also stressed Pakistan’s comparative advantage in pharmaceutical manufacturing, and the two officials considered possible collaborations in local pharmaceutical manufacturing investment in the country, taking into account market opportunities in this time of pandemic.

For his part, Sec. Lopez noted Pakistan’s interest to know more about the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and highlighted how Pakistan can collaborate with the Philippines to access the RCEP region. “Once RCEP Agreement entered into force, even non-RCEP countries like Pakistan can take advantage of the Agreement by considering the Philippines as a manufacturing hub for products of interest in the region,” the trade chief said.