GMA seeks to strengthen trade, air links with India

Manila, Philippines: President Arroyo said today she would accelerate talks on inking a free trade agreement between the Southeast Asian countries and India while calling for early establishment of direct air links between Manila and New Delhi.
Speaking at the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and India, Mrs. Arroyo said a tightened linkage to Asia's economic powerhouse India may strengthen the country's resilience to the global economic crisis.
Mrs. Arroyo said it is time to give the Pan-Asian region a stronger voice in shaping the world economic order and accelerate negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India.
"Perhaps because of the strength of India and China and other countries, the Asian continent is the best situated to weather the global crisis, compared to America and Europe," she said.
Mrs. Arroyo also urged Indian businessmen operating in the country to convince airlines to provide direct flights between India and the Philippines to boost two-way trade and investment.
She recalled that in an earlier trip to India, she had invited Indian filmmakers to consider shooting in the Philippines which drew enough interest to produce a couple of Bollywood films shot on location in the country but the absence of direct flights had reportedly hindered more filmmakers to come over.
Mrs. Arroyo said the Philippines and India have an existing air agreement, and it's now the economic decision making of the airlines that will make direct flights possible.
18/05/09 Xinhua/philstar.com

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Categories: Foreign May 2009