GMA to push for opening up of Japan’s services sector

President Arroyo is expected to push anew for the opening up of the Japanese services sector and Korea’s agriculture sector in her forthcoming trip to those countries this week.

Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II said the President’s trip to Japan will only be a working visit, while the trip to korea would be a State visit.

"Part of the objective of the President’s trip to Japan and Korea is also to convince those two countries to consider the Philippines as an alternative site for investments and products," Roxas said.

The DTI chief pointed out that Japan and Korea have taken steps to revive their ailing economies.

Trade Undersecretary Thomas Aquino said that the Philippine delegation is expected to press for the opening up of the Japanese services sector in lieu of the current protectionist stance of both the Japanese and Philippine agriculture sector.

"There is a shared view not to open up the agriculture sector too much because of the current sentiment of farmers," Aquino said.

"However, that does not deter both countries from exploring other sectors like the services sector," he added.

Roxas, in his visit to Japan last year, had already broached the matter to his counterpart.

Specifically, the Philippine is hoping to be able to send more Filipino contract workers to Japan in the information technology sector as well as in the health sector.

In the case of Korea, Aquino said the Philippine delegation would focus on a further lowering of tariffs on local agricultural products.

"We would like them to bring down their tariffs some more," Aquino said, "We hope Korea accedes to our request."

Roxas, for his part said, the Philippines hopes to increase its shipments to Korea of fruits, semiconductor parts and components for the automotive industry.