Friday, January 12, 2007 Asean integration good but safety nets needed
THE Cebu business community is yet to see the final document that lists the concerns of stakeholders in relation to the planned economic integration of the Asean.
But an official of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) believes the government will not allow local industries to be placed at a disadvantage.
CCCI president Francis Monera said economic integration, in general, “should be beneficial” to all members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
“The local business community should be in favor as it would facilitate the free flow of goods and services and strengthen regional cooperation,” he said in an interview yesterday.
He said the CCCI trusts government regional trade negotiators to present the concerns of local industries and businesses, although the group has not seen the final document that resulted from consultations initiated by the Asean Business Advisory Council last year.
“The PCCI (Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry) has been in close consultation with policy-making agencies before (the signing of) trade agreements,” he said. “And it is incumbent upon government trade negotiators to include local concerns.” But he admitted, though, that “it is possible for cracks” to surface in trade agreements.
He said the Philippine agenda for economic integration should include tourism, and information and communication technology.
He added that despite reservations by other sectors, economic integration is inevitable “as globalization paves the way for borderless economy.”
“Whether we like it or not, it will happen. It is now happening in information and technology,” he said. “It must be done for further economic development.”
But Monera also said that safety nets have to be in place to protect vulnerable sectors. He added that the sector that needs most protection is small agri-businesses.
“When economic integration is in place, there will be free flow of goods, particularly farm products that may be cheaper than the local produce,” he said, adding that this would adversely affect local farmers. (LAP)
