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Thursday, September 01, 2005
PCCI chief tells gov’t: Define nat’l interests
The Philippines needs to determine its wants and needs before Filipinos can benefit from any international treaty that the government will enter into, according to Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Donald Dee.
Dee said countries like the United States and Japan are enjoying the benefits of liberal trade because they were able to define their national interests.
“It’s all about strategy. The US and Japan, among others, are able to enjoy the benefits of the liberal trade environment because they know what they want and strategize on them,” he said during the business consultation on international trade negotiations at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on Tuesday. “Before we even sit down on any bargaining table, foremost in our mind must be to bargain for the common good of our people. It is the core mission of any trade negotiation.”
Globalization
He said that globalization is inevitable and that the Philippines has to enter into economic treaties, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), with other countries.
Dee blamed disunity among government leaders, civil society and business for the country’s lack of strategy in determining national interest and its failure to exploit its “abundant” natural resources.
Given this scenario, he urged leaders of various organizations, especially those in the private sector, to get their act together and participate in international trade treaties by helping the government come up with a strategy to define its national interest.
Dee also urged the country’s trade partners, particularly the developed ones, to come up with trade agreements that are “fair.”
“As a poorer partner talking to a richer one, we wish not only for a fair deal, but also one that uses strength to help the weaker (partner). We negotiate for give and take arrangements that lead to long-term economic partnerships,” he said.
The business consultation on international trade negotiations was organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Confederation of Philippine Exporters (Cebu) Inc. and the Partnership for Advocacy on Competitiveness in Trade. (JBN)
(September 1, 2005 issue)
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