CEBU, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has reiterated the government’s commitment to pursue the pending air services agreement with Russia to help accelerate the country’s business climate.
Speaking at the 2009 Philippine-Russia Business Forum at the Cebu International Convention Center Friday night, President Arroyo appealed to the Russian Embassy and the Russian business community to make a follow up with the Russian Ministry of Transport on the agreement so it would be eventually signed.
The forum was attended by government officials and business leaders of the two countries.
The Arroyo administration has been pushing for Russia’s approval of the air pact as a vital component of its tourism program. The agreement is expected to boost Cebu’s tourism.
President Arroyo said she had asked Russian Embassy Charge d’ Affaires Sergei Shepilov, who was seated beside her during the forum, the reasons for the delay of the signing of the agreement.
“I will send my transportation minister anywhere, anytime so that the two ministers can sign the agreement together. I can just visualize how much tourism will grow then when we have that air agreement,” the President said in her 12-minute speech.
President Arroyo also noted the renewed ties between the Philippines and Russia through the staging of the economic forum in Cebu. She said the country is “privileged” to have such a relationship with one of the world’s largest economic powerhouses of the 21st century.
She said that the Philippines and Russia should work together to build a future based on “mutual trust, respect and understanding.”
The Russian government is seeking to invest in the country’s business process outsourcing (BPO) and mining sectors.
In June this year, President Arroyo made a three-day official visit to Russia which coincided with the 13th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
The country has already established 22 agreements with Russia on various matters since diplomatic relations were established with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1976.
Meanwhile, President Arroyo declared that the Philippines is now ready for an economic rebound, citing the resilience of the country’s financial system.
She said the Philippines had weathered the global crisis, stressing that it managed to counter the effects of the financial meltdown
“I would like to conclude that our economy is stable and strong. Inflation now is at the lowest in 22 years. And we are ready for the economic rebound especially with a new market, renewed ties and new ways of working together with Russia,” she said. — Mitchelle Palaubsanon/LPM(THE FREEMAN)