Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines will “persistently pursue” the review of the economic partnership agreement with Japan, with a goal to have duty-free access to Tokyo, especially on fresh bananas, a Cabinet member said.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. held a bilateral meeting with Japanese agricultural minister Shinjiro Koizumi on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry Meeting last week.
In a news conference, Tiu Laurel said Japan “promised” to look into the issue of reviewing the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) during the bilateral meeting.
“I told him we will persistently pursue this. I really hope we can resolve this issue as soon as possible,” he said.
The Philippines is seeking a zero tariff rate on banana exports to Japan to strengthen the country’s position as top supplier.
Under the JPEPA, the Philippines exports fresh bananas with an 18 percent tariff from April 1 to Sept. 30 and 8 percent from Oct. 1 to March 31.
Tiu Laurel said Japan previously said it was not yet open for a review, but they mentioned during the bilateral meeting that “it (review) can be possible” if Manila has “something to offer.”
“I’ll have to talk with DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) and partner agencies sa [of the] Philippines to come up with a package na i-o-ofer natin sa kanila [we will offer to them] to reopen up the JPEPA,” he said.
Tiu Laurel said the Philippines is also going into the avenue of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to achieve duty-free access to Japan. But he said this may be a gradual reduction that might take five years to complete.
“We are looking at the angle of bilateral agreements in order to speed up the process,” he said.
During the meeting, Koizumi also asked the Philippines to open up market access for Japanese grapes, while Tiu Laurel made a pitch for Philippine pomelos to enter Japan.
Both countries agreed to work on this as soon as possible, Tiu Laurel said, adding they agreed to continue talks on fisheries and livestock products.
PH to expand agri ties with Timor-Leste
Meanwhile, Tiu Laurel also said he conducted a bilateral meeting with Marcos da Cruz, Timor-Leste’s minister of agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and forestry, where they have agreed to expand ties.
The Philippines is set to send teams to Timor-Leste to evaluate and assess its agriculture sector.
Da Cruz and his delegation recently visited the University of the Philippines Los Baños, the International Rice Research Institute, and the Philippine Carabao Center.
Timor-Leste is set to become ASEAN’s newest member, with its full membership to be granted during the 47th ASEAN Summit scheduled in October.
