Source: PDI
The Philippines wants to strengthen trade relations with another emerging Asian superpower - India.
The Philippines and India pledged greater cooperation in business and industry during the 1st Philippines-India Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) held on March 15 in New Delhi, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
The DFA said that improving ties with India would place the Philippines in a better position "geo-politically" with respect to China's growing influence in the region.
Bilateral trade between India and the Philippines hit the $1-billion mark last year.
In another sign of blooming relations between the two countries, Philippine Airlines announced that starting March 28, it would fly to New Delhi six times a week.
Foreign Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Smt. Preneer Kaur led the Philippine and Indian delegations, respectively, at the inaugural JCBC.
"As this is also my maiden JCBC meeting, so to speak, I am pleased to have it with India - a strong and enduring partner of the Philippines for more than 60 years," Del Rosario told a press conference.
He said there was much potential and opportunity that both countries could explore and take advantage of.
The foreign ministers noted that the $1-billion target in bilateral trade by 2010, set by the Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment at its 10th meeting in New Delhi in November 2008, had been met.
Both sides said they were encouraged by the recent purchase by an Indian company from a Philippine firm of two 175,000 dead weight-ton (dwt) container ships, the MV Rahi and the MV Vanshee. The ship's naming ceremony was attended by President Benigno Aquino III in January.
The two countries also stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in other sectors such as tourism, agriculture, health, energy, education and culture.
On behalf of President Aquino, Del Rosario extended an invitation to Indian President Pratibha Patil to visit the Philippines, the DFA said.
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The Philippines wants to strengthen trade relations with another emerging Asian superpower - India.
The Philippines and India pledged greater cooperation in business and industry during the 1st Philippines-India Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) held on March 15 in New Delhi, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
The DFA said that improving ties with India would place the Philippines in a better position "geo-politically" with respect to China's growing influence in the region.
Bilateral trade between India and the Philippines hit the $1-billion mark last year.
In another sign of blooming relations between the two countries, Philippine Airlines announced that starting March 28, it would fly to New Delhi six times a week.
Foreign Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Smt. Preneer Kaur led the Philippine and Indian delegations, respectively, at the inaugural JCBC.
"As this is also my maiden JCBC meeting, so to speak, I am pleased to have it with India - a strong and enduring partner of the Philippines for more than 60 years," Del Rosario told a press conference.
He said there was much potential and opportunity that both countries could explore and take advantage of.
The foreign ministers noted that the $1-billion target in bilateral trade by 2010, set by the Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment at its 10th meeting in New Delhi in November 2008, had been met.
Both sides said they were encouraged by the recent purchase by an Indian company from a Philippine firm of two 175,000 dead weight-ton (dwt) container ships, the MV Rahi and the MV Vanshee. The ship's naming ceremony was attended by President Benigno Aquino III in January.
The two countries also stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in other sectors such as tourism, agriculture, health, energy, education and culture.
On behalf of President Aquino, Del Rosario extended an invitation to Indian President Pratibha Patil to visit the Philippines, the DFA said.
