ISDS Case Map
Philippines
IBON calls on the Arroyo government to discontinue any negotiation on the proposed bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with the US, saying that the free trade pact is a blow to economic sovereignty and would bring the economy back to the era of the Bell Trade Act, which has stunted the Philippine economy to its pre-industrial level.
Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Juan B. Santos said there is no rush in the proposed bilateral free-trade agreement with the US noting the country's trade with the US is slowly losing steam while gaining markets elsewhere particularly, ASEAN, Japan and Greater China.
US Assistant Trade Representative Barbara Weisel urged the Philippines to sign a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with Washington to boost its underperforming economy and keep it globally competitive.
The formation of free-trade agreements (FTA) has become a worldwide trend in recent decades. The Philippines, in particular, is showing interest in a slew of trade agreements.
More Japanese investments and trade opportunities are expected to pour into the Philippines following a recent visit from one of Japan's biggest trade groups - the Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren) - and the forthcoming realization of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement.
Philippine Speaker Jose de Venecia has proposed to South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae Chan and Speaker of Parliament Kim Won Ki the opening of negotiations for a Philippine-Korean Economic Partnership Agreement that would lead to large-scale investments, trade, and technology transfer to the country.
The Japanese government is considering allowing in more Thai workers by relaxing employment conditions for cooks, masseurs and caregivers under a proposed free-trade agreement.
Fraport AG of Germany has decided to flex its diplomatic muscle in pressing for immediate compensation from the Philippine government for their investment in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Passenger Terminal 3 (NAIA-3) project, under the 1997 Philippine-German bilateral investment treaty.
In a recent discussion on the prospects for a Philippines-US FTA organized by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, Romeo G. Borillo, the country's trade representative in Washington DC, refused to divulge details of the proposed agreement.
Japan and the Philippines have agreed to speed up work to sign a bilateral free trade agreement and compared notes over Japan's plan to tightening immigration control over Philippine nationals.
