(Santiago, 24 August 2022) As part of its economic diplomacy initiatives, the Philippine Embassy in Chile met with Chile’s Sub-Secretariat for International Economic Relations (SUBREI) to discuss measures to further enhance Philippines-Chile trade and investment relations, and to maximize the momentum of close partnership enjoyed by both countries.
The Philippine Embassy highlighted its keen interest to expand market access for its dried and food-grade carrageenan seaweeds, dried mangoes, pineapple, banana chips, desiccated coconut, coconut milk, virgin coconut oil and other coconut byproducts. SUBREI, on the other hand, requested the same for its blueberries, poultry and pork exports.
Aside from completing economic deliverables from last year’s 75th Anniversary of Philippines-Chile Diplomatic Relations, which include the completion of agreements on aquaculture, tourism and culture, Chief Urria emphasized Chile’s readiness to host the first meeting of the Technical Working Group under the ambit of the Philippines-Chile MOU on the Establishment of a Joint Economic Commission (JEC). The said MOU is seen as a precursor toward realizing a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries in the near future.
The Philippine Embassy and SUBREI also welcomed ongoing fruitful engagements between ASEAN and the Pacific Alliance (Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico) and agreed to continue supporting each other’s initiatives in the multilateral fora, such as the UN, APEC and FEALAC, guided by the Philippines’ and Chile’s common ideals of promoting free trade and investment, and their shared post-pandemic economic recovery strategies.
The Philippine Embassy was represented by First Secretary and Consul Dennis John Briones, Economic Assistant Ms. Josefina Abenoja and Special Assistant to the Head of Post Ms. Paula Rodriquez during the meeting, while SUBREI was represented by its new Chief for Asia and Oceania Division Mr. Pablo Urria Hering and Economic Adviser in-charge of the PHL Desk Ms. Macarena Camara. END
