Tuesday, November 14, 2006 Biz sector told to show impact of RP-Japan trade pact
MAJOR business organizations and industry groups have been urged by the Senate to show facts and figures on the actual and potential impact of the recently signed Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa).
The request was made by Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas III, chairman of the Senate committee on trade and economic affairs, towards the end of the first public hearing held last week on the merits of the Jpepa after the different business groups and interested non-government agencies said their piece on the pact.
Any treaty between the Philippines and any other nation or groups of nations needs Senate ratification to take effect. In the case of the Jpepa, it has to be ratified by both the Philippine Senate and the Japanese Diet to be binding.
During the hearing, Roxas said the executive branch of government has yet to transmit a copy of the agreement to the Senate for ratification.
Like what happened in public debates on the agreement, the main objection was a small item in the annex of the main agreement listing toxic wastes among the items subjected to zero tariff when exported from Japan to the Philippines. The agreement proper however acceded to World Trade Organization (WTO) and other international rules on the exportation of hazardous substances between nations.
Former National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) chief Felipe Medalla said the dumping of toxic wastes by developed countries on poor nations is a continuing issue with or without the Jpepa.
On issues directly contained in the agreement, the biggest business groups agreed that there is a need for affected organizations to enlighten the Senate on the good or bad effects of Jpepa to their industries affiliated with them.
The Philippine Processed Meat Association (PPMA) was the first group to tell the Senate that the pact will surely increase their exports of corned beef, meat loaves and other processed goods that enjoy zero tariff when entering Japan.
For its part, the Philippine Exporters Confederation (Philexport) reiterated its appeal for a sober assessment of the Jpepa and batted for private sector participation in the finalization of its implementing guidelines. Exports to Japan, particularly fresh and processed food, electronics, garments and machine parts, are expected to be the main beneficiaries of the agreement.
Both the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) told the Roxas committees that they have formed bodies to come out with their impact analysis of the agreement for submission to the Senate soon.
PCCI president Donald G. Dee revealed that all throughout the negotiations, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) representatives made regular consultations with them due to their concerns on issues affecting the automobile and auto parts industry, garments and textile.
"Although we did not get all we wanted out of the agreement, we are ready to give it a go," Dee told the senators. (Abe P. Belena/Philexport News and Features/Sunnex)
