RP to press for more US GSP concessions

The Philippines will press the US for more trade concessions under the US Generalized Systems of Preferences (GSP), continued garment quota allocations and removal from the intellectual property right (IPR) watchlist during President Arroyo’s visit to the US in April.

Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II said the April visit of President Arroyo to the US will give the Philippines an opportunity to seek more trade concessions under the US GSP system.

Mrs Arroyo’s visit to the US is upon the invitation of US President Bush who is trying to woo its various allies to support the US campaign against Iraq’s Saddam Hussein.

"Recent development such as the coalition against terrorism is part of the totality of our relationship (with the US)," Roxas said.

The DTI chief is scheduled to meet with US Trade Representative Robert Zoelick on April 2.

The Philippines is hoping to gain more access to the US market for its various products such a fruits and fruit juices.

"The Philippines has not actually maximized its exports under the US GDP system," Roxas said.

The US GSP system allows 139 countries, including the Philippines, to export to the US certain products duty -free.

The Philippines is targeting exports amounting to $3 billion under the US GSP for a three-year period or up to 2004.

At the same time, Roxas will try to convince US trade officials to reconsider RP’s garment quota allocation as part of the compensation for the US decision to change the rules of origin (ROC) of textile products.

Earlier, the US said that the Philippines had already been compensated for the change in ROC.

An extension of the US garment quota would allow the Philippines to export up to $230 million more to the US up to 2004.

Lastly, Roxas said, the Philippines would also ask the US to finally remove the Philippines from its IPR watchlist following the Philippines effort to crack down on IPR violators.

"We will try and convince them," Roxas said, adding that "the relationship between the US and the Philippines is based on a broader interest. IPR is an important element, but not a totality."