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Thursday, May 08, 2003
Prolonged Sars crisis to hit RP-Europe trade: envoy
By Arvy E. Lopez
IF the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) is not controlled soon, trade between the Philippines and Europe would surely be affected.
European Union (EU) Ambassador Jan de Kok said in an interview that investment between the Philippines and Europe amid Sars would depend on how long the disease scare would last.
“If Sars would stay for a long time, trade flows would really be affected since people would be afraid to travel,” he said.
The trade concept would also change since consumers would be the ones pinning down the suppliers instead of the suppliers going after the consumers, de Kok added.
He said the Philippines had what it takes to export other goods to Europe like jewelry, garments, and other manufacturing products.
“There is a good demand for quality products in Europe. The Philippines can give that.
“The Philippines also has good transport means to Europe, and products reach the country quite easily,” the ambassador told Sun.Star.
As for the Philippine export of tuna to Europe and its demand to lower tuna tariffs in the European Union from 24 percent to 12 percent, de Kok said there are already preferential trade agreements for lower tariffs.
Although the agreement is yet to be finalized by the end of this month by the World Trade Organization (WTO), the first step is to give the Philippines cheaper access to the European market, he said.
He added that like the Philippines, Thailand is also asking for the preferential treatment.
The EU cooperates on common European issues like trade and agricultural policies.
De Kok added that from 2003, the EU aims to create more visibility and explain to the people from all sectors what the European Union is all about and what it can do to the Philippines.
The EU, which remains the second largest market for Philippine exports and the largest source of direct investments, has 15 member countries. It will add 10 more new members to its union in 2004.
(May 8, 2003 issue)
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