| President scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning in Shanghai |
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SHANGHAI, China (via PLDT) - President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo is scheduled to arrive at the Hongquiao International
Airport in Shanghai at 9 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday) after about four hours
flight from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila. From the airport, the President and her party will motor to the Eton Hotel in Pudong Da Dao, Pudong New District where she is billeted for her two-day visit here. Shortly after her arrival, the President will hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao, her first official engagement in Shanghai, at the XI Jiao Guesthouse of the Chinese leader at 1220 Hong Quiao Road. After the bilateral talks, President Hu will host a welcome banquet in honor of his Philippine counterpart and her delegation. The President will also address the Shanghai Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce (SOCCC), the influential business community here, and the Philippine Business Investment Forum (PBIF). After the welcome banquet, the President will proceed to the Le Royal Meridien Hotel on 789 Nanjing, East Road to keynote the PBIF, which was organized by the SOCCC and the Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CPIT). SOCCC is a non-profit social organization composed of Chinese residing abroad, Hong Kong and Macao. Its members include owners of business corporations and others enterprises with huge investments in Shanghai. On the sidelines of her official visit here, the President is scheduled to meet Director General Zhou Bo of the Shanghai Municipal Economic Mission, top executives of the SOCCC, Chairman Cen Furong of the Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shanghai (CPITS), and famous Chinese sculptor Wu Wei Sun. In the evening of her first day here, the President is scheduled to attend the opening rites of the Special Olympics at the Shanghai Stadium in Tianyaoquiao Road to boost the morale of the Philippine contingent participating in the sports event. Participants of the Special Olympics are athletes with special intellectual disabilities, dubbed as special athletes, from around the globe. On her second day here, the President is scheduled to visit Liwayway (China) Co. Ltd. Pioneering small entrepreneurs, Liwayway factory owned by Carlos Chan, has drawn inspiration from the small entrepreneurs across Asia. The roots of Liwayway factory can be traced back to post-war Manila. In 1966, Liwayway Marketing Corporation started distributing starch, coffee, confectioneries, and basic commodities. After the factory visit, the President will address the Global Policy Summit on the Well-Being of People with Intellectual Disabilities at the 7th Floor of the Shanghai International Convention Center along Riverside Avenue in Pudong District before leaving for India on the second leg of her Asian trip. |
| Sino investors still keen on RP, says Consul General |
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SHANGHAI, China (via PLDT) – Despite the
controversy over the ZTE broadband deal, Chinese investors remain upbeat on
the Philippines, according to Philippine Consul General Rowena Mendoza
Sanchez. Chinese newspapers, according to Sanchez, didn’t even bother to carry the story nor was the issue raised during business conferences in this sprawling metropolis considered as the "engine of growth of the whole of China." "China is still upbeat about investing in the Philippines," Sanchez said in an interview this morning at the Eton Hotel here. The Shanghai leg of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's two-day official visit to the People's Republic of China starting tomorrow will definitely generate more investments in the Philippines according to Sanchez. Sanchez said the Chinese government respects the decision of the Philippines on the ZTE issue and is not concerned at all by the controversy over the broadband deal. “It is still a policy of the Chinese government to encourage businessmen to invest in the Philippines, “she said. Sanchez noted that Chinese businessmen are pushing through with their investments in the Philippines, adding that the President's visit here as keynote speaker of the Philippine Business and Investment Forum (PBIF) is a welcome opportunity to further entice more Chinese investments to the Philippines. "Last year alone, double digit ang economic growth rate ng Shanghai and that being the case, the Shanghai government has really made it a policy to encourage their businessmen to invest overseas. That is why it is very important for us now to present the investment opportunities in the Philippines," Sanchez said. The PBIF which was organized by the Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Shanghai Overseas Chamber of Commerce, according to her, was requested by the Chinese businessmen themselves. The participants in the forum, Sanchez pointed out, ballooned to 300 from the initial 100 chief executive officers (CEOs) of top Chinese corporations. "The business forum, which is sponsored by the Shanghai Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, has gotten together to promote the Philippines,” she said. “So this is what the forum is all about and we have no less than the Head of State encouraging Shanghainese and Chinese businessmen to invest in the Philippines. I think we can expect very good outcomes from this forum," she added. Chinese businessmen, according to Sanchez, have expressed interest in investing outsourcing because they know that the Philippines is one of the leaders in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. Chinese investors, she added are also keen on mining, transportation and tourism as well as agricultural particularly Philippine bananas. To date, the Philippines and China equally benefit from a two-way trade valued last year at over $1 billion. Among the Philippine businesses here are the Eton Hotel owned by Lucio Tan where the President would be billeted when she arrives Tuesday morning, the branches of Bench, Jollibee, and Liwayway Holdings Company Limited which have over 100 varieties of snack foods including the famous Oishi brand. Liwayway Marketing Corporation traces its beginnings to the Philippines during the post-war era as a small family business engaged in repacking corn starch. The President will keynote the Global Policy Summit on the Well-Being of People with Intellectual Disabilities during the second day of her visit here on Wednesday. On Wednesday night, the President, together with other heads of state and leaders, will be guests during the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics (for persons with disabilities) at the Shanghai stadium. The 52-member Philippine delegation would also be competing for the first time in 10 sports events; badminton, basketball, powerlifting, aquatics, athletics, table tennis, gymnastics, football, and bowling. |
| Controversy over broadband project won't affect RP-China relations - Bunye |
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SHANGHAI, China (via PLDT) – Press Secretary
and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said today the controversy over
the $329-million National Broadband Network (NBN) project will not affect
the warm relations between the Philippines and China. He said Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila has explained the situation to Chinese officials through extensive back-channel discussions and the latter said they would respect the Philippine government’s position on the matter. “This situation is properly explained and I believe that you already heard from the Chinese officials that they understand and would respect the decision of the Philippine government,” Bunye said, referring to the controversy over the NBN project to be undertaken by ZTE of China. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the suspension of the ZTE deal due to allegations of overpricing and corruption. In an earlier statement, the President explained, however, that even as “we defer the said China projects, this should not be construed as a precedent for every disgruntled project proponent and his backers to undermine undertakings that comply with the law and benefit the nation. All branches of government must ensure that vested interests do not exploit our democracy to block development.” Suspended along with the NBN project was the cyberspace education program of the Department of Education (DepEd) which is geared towards improving the quality of the country’s educational system through the introduction of state-of-the-art communications facilities. Pointing out that the government stands to lose P3 billion a year as a result of the freezing of the two programs, the President said the suspension of the NBN and cyberspace education projects has “created a gap in these aspects of our ten-point agenda. Government telecom savings of P3 billion a year from broadband may not be forthcoming, slashing that much from fund for social services. And world-class ICT (information and communications technology) might no longer 4th to 6th class municipalities and the least endowed schools.” |
| PGMA builds trade, diplomatic bridges with host countries, says Bunye |
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SHANGHAI, China (via PLDT) -- President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo’s China and India visits are part of her effort to build
and strengthen trade and diplomatic bridges between the Philippines and her
host countries. Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye told members of the Malacanang Press Corps covering the President’s two-nation trip that the she looks forward to a stronger Philippine engagement with China and India economically, culturally and diplomatically. "The President has always expressed the belief that the more bridges we cross the better for the country and for our people. And this is one of the kinds of bridges that the President is now crossing," Bunye said in an ambush interview at the main lobby of the Eton Hotel, the Chief Executive’s official residence while in Shanghai. Citing the importance of the President’s trip to China, Bunye said it was a distinct honor for her to be asked personally by Chinese President Hu Jintao to open the 2007 World Summer Games Special Olympics for mentally disabled persons. The 52-strong Philippine contingent to the Special Olympics is the biggest among the participating countries. The Filipinos will participate in various competitions, including basketball, football, badminton, gymnastics, power lifting, athletics, aquatics and table tennis. The President will be joined at the opening of the Special Olympics by world leaders from the academe, government, mass media, and other sectors involved in projects to mainstream the intellectual advantage of the persons with disabilities. After her two-day China visit, the President will proceed to India, where she is scheduled to meet with Indian President Pratibha Patil, the first female president of India, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of the ruling Congress Party. "So this is part of her ongoing program to be very active in the region as well as in the international arena," Bunye said. |
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PGMA's Departure Statement on Her Visits to China
and India October 2, 2007 |
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Today, we leave for
Shanghai on the first leg of a two-nation swing that will take us to China
and India, two of the fastest growing countries in the region and in the
world. Our visits underscore our country’s continuing commitment to be
regionally and globally engaged, politically, economically and
diplomatically. |
| Philippines is not afraid of globalization, says PGMA |
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SHANGHAI, China (via PLDT)—President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo said here today the Philippines is not afraid of
globalization in the thought that it would be a stepping stone to poverty
alleviation and the country’s modernization. Witnessing the fast and extraordinary expansion and progress of the Chinese economy under globalization, the President said her visit in this city, China’s commercial and financial center, is expected to open up new avenues of trade and investment opportunities between China and the Philippines. The President made the remarks before the Philippine Business and Investment Forum (PBIF) held this afternoon at the Grand Ballroom of Le Royal Meridien Hotel here. The forum was organized by the Shanghai Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce (SOCCC) or the Shi Mao Group, the most influential business organization in Shanghai. “Like China, we believe in the power of global trading to alleviate poverty and modernize nations through market forces,” she said. The President told the businessmen that the Philippines has been aggressive in seeking multilateral and bilateral trade relationships in order to compete for the globalization. Having a personal hands-on role in an attempt to move the DOHA Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) talks forward, the President strongly believed that this initiative is favorable for the Philippines, and good for the world. “Our faith in the marketplace both at home and abroad has been a boon to the Philippine economy,” the President said. She also expressed confidence that the overall relations of the Philippines and China is now more mature and comprehensive punctuated with substantial and important projects aimed at deepening exchanges in the areas of trade and investment. The President noted that China is the Philippines’ third largest trading partner with a substantial trade surplus since 2002 through the framework agreement on expanding and deepening bilateral economic and trade cooperation. She also reported that
as a result of her administration’s fiscal reform measures, the country is
now on its “path to permanent economic growth and stability.” |
| PGMA allays fears of environmentalists as she invites Chinese investors |
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SHANGHAI, China (via PLDT)—President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo assured today environmentalists that the Philippines will
not tolerate any unregulated exploitation of the country’s natural resources
as several international mining firms had expressed strong interest to
invest in the country’s mining industry. The President made the assurance in her speech during the Philippine Business and Investment Forum (PBIF) organized by the Shanghai Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce (SOCCC) at the Grand Ballroom of the Le Royal Meridien Hotel here this afternoon. While the Philippine economy benefits from the significant expansion of the mining sector, the President stressed that the national government will make sure that mining companies will continue to work closely with the civil society organizations and local government executives to make them comply with the rules and regulations for the protection of the environment. “We will not tolerate any unregulated exploitation of our people or resources,” the President stressed as she assured them that the national government will not lose its focus to guard the importance of sustainable development in the mining sector. The President invited the Shanghai businessmen to invest in mining in the Philippines because the country is rich in mineral resources, especially in nickel. She also told them that the Philippines has opened its door for tourism investment in the wake of big demand for rooms in hotels and resorts because of the increasing number of foreign visitors’ arrival. “We welcome you to visit the country to experience for yourself the Philippines beach resorts and other tourist spots,” the President said. On energy, the President told the Chinese businessmen that her government is eager to privatize the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR), a move that will free the government of its subsidy and allow the country to make more investments in other infrastructure areas. As part of the Green Philippines campaign, the President said that her administration is for the development of alternative sources of power by harnessing energy from the sun, wind and geothermal resource and clean fuels through biofuels. She also informed them that the country has a big potential in the information and communications technology investments because the Filipinos are highly competitive in the business process outsourcing. |
| Chinese President says good RP-China relations will continue blooming |
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SHANGHAI, China (via PLDT)—- Chinese President Hu Jintao said today the good relationship between the Philippines and China would continue blooming even with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's "difficult decision" to cancel the National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China’s ZTE Corp. In an interview this afternoon at the Eton Hotel here where President Arroyo and her delegation are billeted, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said President Hu expressed understanding on the issue during the 30-minute bilateral talks with the President this morning at the Xi Jiao Guesthouse here. Bunye said the President clearly presented her decision to President Hu who understood and accepted it. "The President explained the difficult decision not to continue with the NBN contract and the President counted on the good relations between our two countries for understanding. We are gratified that President Hu offered understanding when he said that our relationship is in very good shape and the Philippines has been a great ally," Bunye said. The Press Secretary said President Arroyo first described to President Hu the good relationship between the Philippines and China based on respect, consultation and mutual benefit and ably presented the large picture of the NBN issue much to the satisfaction of President Hu. "And the Chinese President offered understanding for the decision taken by President Arroyo," Bunye said. President Hu's understanding substantiated the earlier pronouncement of Philippine Consul General to Shanghai Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez that the NBN issue is not a concern at all here and Chinese businessmen are still upbeat on investing in the Philippines. During their bilateral talks, Bunye said President Hu also thanked the President for accepting the invitation to attend the opening tonight of the Special Olympics here for the intellectually disadvantaged children. Bunye said the President likewise greeted President Hu on the 58th anniversary of the National Day of China that the Chinese people started celebrating yesterday. Bunye said the President also described China as the fastest-growing country in the region and in the world and the Philippines sees China's rise as a significant opportunity for the Philippines. "At this point, the President reiterated the strict adherence of the Philippines to the One-China Policy and this was very much appreciated by President Hu," Bunye said. Looking forward, he said President Hu described the efforts of the foreign ministers of both the Philippines and China to work out a joint program for cooperation. "He (President Hu) also described the great efforts of our trade ministers for developing a five-year economic development program to provide clear guidance for cooperation," Bunye said. Bunye said the two leaders also discussed trade relations, including the bright prospects for Chinese businessmen investing in mining and other sunrise industries in the Philippines. |
| RP sends biggest delegation of 'special' athletes to China olympics in Shanghai |
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SHANGHAI, China (via PLDT)- Filipino athletes
competing in the Special Olympics Summer Games here got their morale booster
from no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who met and wished them
good luck this afternoon during the first day of her two-day official visit
in the People's Republic of China. The Special Olympics is being held for the first time in Asia in this city to promote concern and understanding for people with intellectual disabilities, that is also part of the social aspects of the President's reforms. The President arrived here Tuesday morning together with her official delegation that included Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, a number of lawmakers and businessmen. After holding bilateral talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao, the President mingled with and had a photo taking-session with the Filipino team at the lobby of Eton Hotel where she is billeted. At the start of their bilateral meeting at the Xi Jiao Guesthouse here, the President thanked President Hu for inviting her to grace the opening of the Special Olympics at the Shanghai Stadium tonight. Because China is such an important country for the Philippines, the President informed President Hu that the Philippines this time is sending its biggest delegation of athletes so far. "We had the biggest delegation this time at 52 athletes with intellectual disabilities. And they will be participating in nine events," the President said. During the toast at the succeeding banquet in honor of the visiting dignitaries, President Hu said the Special Olympics advocates equality and inclusion, encourages special people to realize their potentials and gives them a chance to be productive citizens and share the fruits of human civilization. "The Special Olympics Games represents the ardent hope of people throughout the world for friendship, cooperation and peace,” Hu said. President Hu said China will continue to promote the well-being of special people and work with other countries to improve the well-being of special people and contribute to the building of a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity. The Philippines and China started their relations in the political and economic aspects, and now even in the social aspects of development particularly with the President as keynote speaker of the Global Policy Summit on the Well-Being of People with Intellectual Disabilities during the second day of her visit here on Wednesday. After their photo session with the President, Special Olympics Philippines president Mariano Inductivo said the 52-member Philippine special athletes team is very focused and happy with the President's presence here and they would surely try to win gold medals in the friendly competition. Inductivo said the Philippines has been training and sending 8 to 65-year-old special athletes to the Special Olympics since 1987 where the Filipinos are competing not much for the joy of victory but more on friendship and understanding among the competing nations. Inductivo said the Special Olympics was previously held in Ireland in 2003 and the next competition would be held in four years in Athens, Greece. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye |
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HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO’S
MEETING WITH PRESIDENT HU JINTAO (SHANGHAI, CHINA, OCTOBER 2, 2007): 1. President Hu thanked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for gracing the opening of the Special Olympics. President Arroyo said the Philippines sent its biggest ever delegation (52) to the Special Olympics. 2. President Arroyo greeted President Hu on the 58th anniversary of China. 3. President Arroyo reaffirmed the Philippines’ strict adherence to the One-China Policy. 4. President Arroyo said that RP-China relationship is confident, mature and comprehensive. China is now the fastest growing economy and our third largest trading partner. 5. We have observed open dialogue and trust in handling sensitive issues. Issues should be resolved, guided by respect, consultation and mutual benefit. 6. President Arroyo explained the difficult decision not to continue with the NBN (National Broadband Network) project. She said she was counting on China on understanding. 7. President Hu said the Philippines has been a great ally. China is committed to grow the relationship between our two countries. President Hu said that the foreign ministers of the two countries are now working on a joint program for strategic cooperation. Likewise, the trade ministers are drawing up a five-year economic development program to provide clear guidance for cooperation. President Hu said our trade relations have been productive and have resulted in tangible deliverables. He offered understanding. He said our relationship is in good shape. 8. Both Presidents expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the joint seismic studies in the China Sea. 9. The meeting of the two leaders was warm and very cordial. |
| PGMA joins foreign dignitaries, celebrities at opening of Special Olympics inShanghai |
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SHANGHAI, China (via PLDT) - President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo joined foreign dignitaries and celebrities who were invited
by Chinese President Hu Jintao to witness the spectacular opening of the
Special Olympics World Summer Games 2007 last night at the Shanghai Stadium.
Hu opened the 10-day sporting event for the intellectually challenged people from some 165 countries, including the Philippines, whose 52-strong delegation to the special sporting event was the biggest. Aside from the President, the other guests of honor were Iceland President Olafur Grimsson, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, actors Colin Farrell and Jackie Chan, NBA star Yao Ming, singer Vanessa Williams, Quincy Jones, and actress Zhang Ziyi. The extravaganza started with a rigorous drum dance followed by a non-stop presentation of cultural dances, exercises and songs, by more than a thousand performers. An estimated 80,000 spectators packed the Shanghai Stadium. The opening ceremony ended with a spectacular display of lights and fireworks and the lighting of the Olympic torch. At their bilateral meeting earlier in the morning, President Arroyo and her Chinese counterpart affirmed their commitment to promote the interest of intellectually disabled people. |
| Top Sino sculptor honors PGMA with bust work |
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SHANGHAI, China (via PLDT) – World-renowned
Chinese sculptor Wu Weishan gifted President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Tuesday
with a bust sculpture he made especially for her as a symbol of the
long-standing friendship and goodwill between the Philippines and China. Professor Wu presented the sculpture during his courtesy call on her at the Eton Hotel where the President is billeted while on a visit to China. Wu said it took him three months to finish his work based on a picture of the President. The bust sculpture is made of silver and bronze showing the President glancing at a distance. Wu said his gift epitomizes and visualizes the industrious Filipino and the President's vision for the Philippines. He also gave the President an album of his famous works that include the sculpture of Queen Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard of the Netherlands. With over 20 years in the business, Wu has created the sculptures of over 300 historical and cultural figures from China and overseas, and of more than 200 Chinese and foreign celebrities. He has won numerous international awards for greatly promoting the understanding of the Chinese culture and contemporary Chinese sculpture in his works. |
| PGMA due for 3-day state visit to India |
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MUMBAI, India - After a decade of a previous
Philippine leader's visit, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is scheduled to
arrive in this highly-industrialized and affluent city late Wednesday
evening for a three-day state visit that is expected to further boost
economic and diplomatic ties between India and the Philippines. The President will be flying in at the Mumbai International Airport via a chartered Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight at 10:45 p.m. (New Delhi time) from China where she just completed a two-day official visit. Highlighting the first leg of her visit in this city Thursday is the signing of two trade agreements that are expected to further boost the bilateral relations between the two countries. The Philippines' Macropharma Corporation, represented by its president, Jose Salvador M. Rivera, will sign a Joint Venture Agreement with the Indian company, Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd. through its executive director Arun Kumar, which will make available quality and affordable medicines in the Philippines in the field of nephrology and oncology. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the State Trading Corporation of India Ltd., through its chairman and managing director Dr. Arvind Pandalai, and the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) headed by its president and chief executive officer, Jorge Mendoza Judan, will also be signed. The MOA is expected to establish a long-term and mutually beneficial trade relationship for import and export of various products in both countries. As part of her itinerary, President Arroyo will deliver a keynote speech at the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) to be held at the Ballroom of the Taj Mahal Palace and Towers, followed by a series of courtesy calls of various Indian businessmen. She will also have a meeting and a High Tea with Shri Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna, the governor of Maharashtra State at the Raj Bahvan. On Friday, the President goes to the Indian capital of New Delhi considered as a major travel gateway to this country and one of the busiest entry points for overseas airlines. Full Indian military honors will be extended to the President upon her arrival at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Forecourt where she will lay a wreath at the Samadhi (tomb) of Mahatma Gandhi. President Arroyo will have an expanded bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Hyderabad House before the State Banquet to be hosted by Indian President, Prathibha Patil and his wife at the Ashoka Hall, Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Filipino-Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) meeting before attending to another series of courtesy calls of Indian businessmen based in New Delhi. She will also have a coffee meeting with the Filipino community. On Saturday, the Chief Executive leaves New Delhi for Agra for a two-hour tour of the world-renowned Taj Mahal, a heritage site considered one of the eight wonders of the world. After the tour, the President departs for Manila and is expected to arrive there late evening Saturday. |
| RP gov't supports global policy on well-being of intellectually-challenged persons -- PGMA |
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SHANGHAI, China (via PLDT) -– President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo committed today the Philippines’ support to the cause and
welfare of intellectually-challenged persons around the world as part of the
government’s social services program. The President made the commitment in her keynote address during the Global Policy Summit on the Well-Being of People with Intellectual Disabilities this morning at the Shanghai International Convention Center in Pudong District, Shanghai. “Today I hereby commit the Philippine government to support quality growth of Special Olympics program to reach more athletes, families and communities, empower athletes as leaders, and change attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities,” she said. Among those accompanying the President during the summit were Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, and Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye. Other dignitaries present were Iceland President Olafur Grimsson, People’s Republic of China Vice Premier Hui Liangyu, PROC Party Secretary Xi Jinping, Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng, Special Olympics International Chairman Timothy Shriver, and his wife, Special Olympics founder Kennedy Shriver. Special Olympics is a movement operating in more than 165 countries and focuses on acceptance, inclusion and respect for individuals with intellectual disabilities, including support services to their families. The President said she is hoping that more countries would make the same commitment and support policies to provide the highest welfare for persons with intellectual disabilities. She said reforms initiated in the Philippines have enabled the government to invest in people and projects that include vital infrastructures and the provision of essential social services. However, the President noted that there is still much to do as funds generated from various reforms are not enough to aggressively promote the cause of more than 900,000 Filipinos who are either physically or mentally challenged. The President said the Philippines has subscribed to the Millennium Framework for Action Towards an Inclusive, Barrier-Free and Rights-Based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific. In 2002, the President said she also issued a Presidential Proclamation declaring the 10-year period from 2003 to 2012 as the Philippine Decade for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). She added that in 2004, she signed a law obliging all health workers to inform parents that newborn screening is available to detect conditions that may lead to possible learning disabilities, or even death among infants. The President commended the private sector, particularly the non-government organizations (NGOs) in the Philippines, for promoting the cause of persons with disabilities. She said she has agreed to the recommendation of the NGOs to appoint a person with disability to a government council that would develop and recommend policies, programs and even legislative agenda to address the needs of PWDs. The President also commended the Shriver family for its pioneering efforts in promoting the cause of persons with disabilities. “Filipinos are great fans of the Kennedy’s. We all know about Camelot and we all know about their special child. So, when Tim Shriver visited us in Manila, his passion for the well-being of persons with disabilities did not surprise us, it inspired us,” the President said. She added that China’s hosting of the opening of the 10-day Special Olympics World Games here Tuesday night promoted the cause of persons with disabilities to greater heights. |
| China remains friendly with RP despite PGMA's cancellation of ZTE deal |
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SHANGHAI, China (via PLDT) -– The Chinese
government has remained committed to closer ties with the Philippines even
after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had cancelled the National Broadband
Network (NBN) project with China’s ZTE Corp. Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila said this friendly gesture pervaded during bilateral talks between President Arroyo and Chinese President Hu Jintao held here Tuesday. “We’re glad that President Hu Jintao gave unwavering support with understanding to President Macapagal-Arroyo’s decision to discontinue the (NBN) project,” Favila said. Last Tuesday, the President decided to cancel the NBN project because of the continuing hot controversy it has created and the refusal of some sectors to understand the importance of the cyber project. Favila said he and his Chinese counterpart are now working on a five-year economic development plan with the hope of coming up with an agreement for better cooperation without similar controversy created by the broadband project. Earlier, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said the President explained to President Hu the difficult decision she made to discontinue with the NBN contract without straining the good relations between the Philippines and China. “We are gratified with President Hu’s expression of understanding when he said that the Philippine-Chinese relations remain in very good shape and that the Philippines has been a great ally,” Bunye said. President Hu’s expression of understanding substantiated the earlier pronouncement of Philippine Consul General to Shanghai Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez that the NBN broadband issue is not a concern at all here and Chinese businessmen are still upbeat on investing in the Philippines. During their bilateral talks, Bunye said President Hu also thanked the President for accepting the invitation to attend the opening of the Special Olympics here for the intellectually disadvantaged persons. Bunye said the President likewise greeted President Hu on the 58th anniversary celebration of China’s National Day that started yesterday. Bunye said the President also described China as the fastest growing economy not only in the region but in the whole world as well and the Philippines sees China’s economic rise as a significant opportunity for the Philippines. |
| PGMA visits Shanghai business facilities of small business pioneer from RP |
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SHANGHAI, China (via PLDT) -– President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo visited here today the facilities of the Liwayway Marketing
Corp. or Liwayway (China) Co. Ltd., one of the oldest factories that
pioneered in the small-time entrepreneur business in the Philippines. Fresh from her speaking engagement at the Global Policy Summit on the Well Being of People with Intellectual Disabilities at the Shanghai International Convention Center, the President paid a visit to Carlos Chan, the factory owner. Upon her arrival, the President was welcomed by Chan as his three pretty little grand daughters presented her a bouquet of fresh flowers. After posing for a souvenir photo with the employees of the factory, the President made a plant tour on board a golf car. She then joined with the top officials of the factory in a lunch at the company’s villa. Pioneering in small business, Liwayway factory has inspired a lot of small entrepreneurs across Asia. Liwayway Marketing Corporation traced back its beginning in the Philippines during the post-war era as a small family business engaged in repacking corn starch, coffee, confectioneries, and other basic commodities. |
| President visits Filipino-managed container port in Shandong |
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SHANDONG, China (via PLDT) -- President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo visited and inspected today the Yantai Rising Dragon
International Container Terminal (YRDICT), the first state-of-the-art
container port in Yantai, the capital town of Shandong province, and owned
and managed by a Filipino cargo company. In January 2007, Philippine-based global port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), through holding company ICTSI (Hong Kong) Ltd., signed a joint venture contract with Yantai Port Group Co. Ltd. for the purchase of 60 percent of the shareholdings of Chinese port operator Yantai Gangtong Container Terminal Co. Ltd. The joint venture contract, with a term of 30 years, was approved by the Chinese government in March this year. YRDICT is ICTSI’s first venture into China and is the first Philippine investment in the Chinese port market. The joint venture is also a manifestation of the growing reciprocal trade ties between China and the Philippines. Upon her arrival here, the President signed in the guest book of the port terminal after which she was briefed by ICTSI Chairman Enrique Razon on the investment progress of the Filipino-owned port company. During her 12-minute stay, the President congratulated Razon and other top executives of the ICTSI and YRDICT for their successful handling of the terminal. "Congratulations. We’re very proud of you," the President told them. After the port visit, the President met with the provincial leaders of Shandong at the Banquet Hall of Dongshan Hotel. |
| PGMA invites India pharmaceutical firms to make RP base of export operations |
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MUMBAI, India (via PLDT) -–
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Thursday invited India’s pharmaceutical
companies to make the Philippines their main base of operations in Southeast
Asia. In her speech before the Confederation of Indian Industries at the ballroom of the Taj Mahal Hotel this afternoon, the President said the Philippines is strategically located as a base of their export operations to Northeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. She said that only two days ago, the Quality Affordable Medicines Act was approved by the Philippine Senate on second reading and the House of Representatives is expected to follow suit soon. "The final passage of the Quality Affordable Medicines Act will be a major milestone in our administration's efforts to promote better health and longer productive lives for our people," the President said. She thanked the senators for their speedy action on the bill as she called on the House to approve the measure. "The people have waited far too long for this measure to be enacted," she said. The government said the enactment of the Quality Affordable Medicines Act will promote better health, particularly among the marginalized Filipinos. When enacted into law, the President said the measure would provide the legal framework to allow the production of cheaper medicines in the Philippines instead of sourcing them from abroad. "We share this good news with the Indian business community to encourage your pharmaceutical companies to set up production facilities in the Philippines so that you can keep your market," she said. |
| Statement of the President: On India's economic growth |
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We are delighted with the
growth of India, along with China, to add to the power of Japan in the
region. In the Philippines, we benefit from this growth. India’s awakening can only lift up our nation. This is a positive healthy development. We welcome the economic growth of India. We hope for greater integration between the Philippines and India through closer political, economic and security engagement. In the Philippines, India is involved in textiles, business process outsourcing (BPO), and steel, in addition to being the largest supplier of half-priced medicines. We are looking forward to future cooperation in tourism and in movie production. |
| PGMA backs India's 'Look East' policy |
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MUMBAI, India (via PLDT) --
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today that the Philippines supports
India's "Look East" policy that could open more opportunities for
cooperation and integration between their economies. Speaking before Indian businessmen at the Taj Majal Hotel here, the President said that India, now the world's fourth largest economy, has made impressive economic strides in recent years. "India is becoming an undeniable driving force behind global economic growth. Because of the growing market of India and China, growth in Asia is transitioning from being export-driven to being domestically-driven," she said. “We are delighted with the growth of India, along with China, to add to the power of Japan in the region,” the President said, adding that the Philippines benefits from this growth. She said India’s awakening can only lift up the Philippines. “This is a positive healthy development. We welcome the economic growth of India.” The President said India's ascendance to the world economic stage has political, economic and strategic implications for both India and the East Asian region. "That is why we support India's ‘Look East’ policy and your plans to integrate with both South Asia and Southeast Asia. We hope this policy will include greater economic integration between the Philippines and India," the President said. She expressed the hope that there will be greater integration between the two countries through closer political, economic and security engagements, and cooperation in tourism and movie production. Aside from being the Philippines’ biggest supplier of half-priced medicines, India is also into textile, business process outsourcing (BPO) and steel in the country. The President said her state visit here to entice more investments reciprocates the state visit of Indian President Abdul Kalam to the Philippines in 2006, and the participation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the East Asian Summit held in Cebu last January. "We hope these three visits coming one after the other will lead us toward closer political security and economic engagement," the President said. |
| $60-M trade agreements signed between RP, India |
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MUMBAI, India (via PLDT) – President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo witnessed the signing here Thursday of three trade
agreements worth more than $60 million that are expected to further
strengthen economic ties between the Philippines and India. Signed in the presence of the President were the Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) between IPVG Corporation of the Philippines and Credence Analytics of India; Family Vaccines and Specialty Clinic (Philippines) and Panacea Biotec Ltd. (India); and the Joint Venture Agreement between Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (India) and Macropharma Corp. (Phils). The President who, prior to the event, keynoted the Confederation of Indian Industries meeting at the Ballroom of the Taj Mahal Palace and Towers, was joined in the signing ceremony by Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes. The agreement between IPVG Corp. and Credence Analytics of India provides for the establishment of knowledge process outsourcing facilities for the banking and financial sectors which represent 30 percent of the total global outsourcing industry estimated to reach $110 billion dollars by 2010. The estimated transaction is valued at US$50 million in one year for IPVG. IPVG Corp. Chairman Jaime C. Gonzalez and Credence Analytics (India) Pvt. Ltd. President Vijay Simha signed the MOA for their respective companies. IPVG Corp. is a publicly-listed company in Makati City engaged in businesses relating to information technology, and manages and operates, among others, a business process outsourcing (BPO) company. Credence Analytics is an India-based specialist financial solutions firm that offers software products and outsourced services primarily to banking and financial units and businesses. The MOA signed by Panacea Biotec Ltd. Managing Director Rajesh Jain and Family Vaccines and Specialty Clinic Inc. of the Philippines through its Managing Director Jaime Enrique Gonzales provides for the importation and distribution of medicines and vaccines leading to the setting up of additional 100 clinics and providing quality and affordable healthcare to a minimum of half a million Filipinos. The estimated transaction value is US$10 million over two years. The joint venture agreement between Emcure Pharmaceuticals Executive Director Arun Kumar Khanna and Macropharma Corp. President Jose Salvador M. Rivera provides new, effective and reasonably priced medicines to the Philippines. Emcure chose to award exclusive marketing rights to Macropharma because of their similar adherence to current goods manufacturing practices and to high ethical standards in drug marketing. Emcure manufactures and distributes pharmaceutical products and formulations in India and markets the same in the domestic and international markets. Macropharma is in the business of marketing and selling of pharmaceutical products in the Philippines and is desirous of promoting, marketing and selling the products of Emcure in the Philippines. In this agreement, Macropharma will be able to initially offer drugs in renal diseases, including anti-rejection drugs for renal transplant and anti-cancer therapy. |
| President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's state visit to India |
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SUMMARY OF BUSINESS CALLS MUMBAI 04 October 2007 Praj Industries Praj industries is working in the field of biofuels, with primary focus on renewable energy sources such as cassava, sweet sorghum and sugar cane; and is also concerned with the utilization of waste power to generate energy. Praj is doing a project in the Philippines on ethanol blending, and they expect to produce the first flow of Filipino ethanol to get into the market. They will also be working on a joint program for the development of sweet sorghum, and would like to share this knowledge with the Philippines. Praj and the Department of Agriculture will be signing an agreement for the joint propagation of sweet sorghum, which has a higher ethanol yield than sugar cane. WNS WNS is India’s largest BPO company, which has been in business for the past 10 years. WNS intends to expand their presence in the Philippines. The idea is to get away from the larger cities and locate in the smaller towns. Looks forward to the government’s support on this in terms of the physical and technological infrastructure. WNS notes with appreciation that the Philippine government is training call center employees. This has made the Philippines an attractive destination for Indian companies in the BPO and call center industries. WNS would like to transfer the management practices that have proven successful, and train Filipino workers to take on positions of management. Sutherland Sutherland Global Services is a global customer management company in the BPO industry with over 20 years of practitioner heritage in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). Sutherland helps companies design, build and manage their customer management operations. Sutherland’s customer management operations centers are located in USA, Canada, India and the Philippines. Sutherland is mobilizing its operations in the province of Camarines Sur and is creating 300 jobs there before the end of the year. They are also expanding their facilities in Clark, targeting overall employment there at 2,500 seats. They are also looking at opening offices in Davao and Iloilo to generate another 600 jobs. Sutherland also plans to create more than 500 IT Training seats and train about 500 graduates per month in seven provinces across the Philippines. Hinduja The Hinduja Group is one of the largest diversified groups in the world spanning all the continents. The Group employs over 30,000 people and has offices in many key cities of the world and all the major cities in India. Expansion of Call Center & BPO business in the Philippines through HTMT Global Solutions. The Group has already invested over $25 million in this industry and has high growth plans to expand their presence in the Philippines. Gulf Oil, which also belongs to the group, has been in the Philippines for over 10 years and is actively looking at opportunities to expand and invest. Hinduja has previously entered into a joint venture with the Department of Energy on the production of compressed natural gas (CNG). Hinduja will be working with the PNOC and the DOE to establish a distribution network for CNG. Ispat Industries Ispat Industries Limited (IIL) is one of the leading integrated steel makers and the largest private sector producer of hot rolled coils in India. Global Steel Philippines (SPV-AMC), which was bought by Ispat, is the leading manufacturer and principal supplier of flat products in the Philippines and other ASEAN markets. Products include hot rolled coils, hot rolled plates, cold rolled coils (fullhard, annealed) and tinplates. Formerly known as National Steel Corporation, the plant is currently under the management of Global Ispat Holdings Limited, one of the world’s pioneering steel producers, having facilities in countries like Bulgaria, Nigeria, India, Bosnia, Libya and Zimbabwe. Global Steel Philippines (SPV-AMC) Inc. has submitted plans to set up an integrated steel plant involving investments of US $1.6 billion to be carried out in two phases. Points raised by Indian Film makers: Highly appreciate the opportunity given to them to dialogue with a head of state. The film makers warmly welcomed the recent relaxation of procedures for the issuance of Philippine visas to Indian nationals. The Department of Tourism will organize a familiarization tour for Indian film makers, to encourage them to use the Philippines as location for their films. |
| Indian BPO firm to expand RP operations |
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MUMBAI, India - Sutherland Global Services (SGS)
of India announced Thursday that it will expand its call center operations
in the Philippines with two new sites to be established outside Metro
Manila. Sutherland president K.S. Kumar made the announcement when he paid a courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Taj Majal Hotel where she is billeted while in India. Kumar informed the President that SGS’s new call centers would be established in Camarines Sur and Davao City. The Davao City call center will hire 100 workers. The two new SGS’s sites are expected to create 500 additional jobs to the firm’s total workforce in the country. There are 2,000 Filipinos employed by the Indian business process outsourcing (BPO) company at its Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ) operations. Sutherland Global Services was also among the first locators at the new IT Park in Tarlac, with its 100-seat call center expected to be online by January 2008. He told the President that SGS is finalizing the evaluation of a proposed 200-employee call center operation in Iloilo and the planned training facilities in seven provinces to accommodate 500 graduates every month. The President thanked Kumar for his company's confidence in the Philippines and assured him of the government’s full support for SGS’s expansion program. In a separate courtesy call, WNS Global Services, India’s largest BPO company, presented to the President its upcoming call center project in the Philippines which was registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) last Sept. 26. She said Global Services made the right decision when it chose the Philippines as the site for its operation. The country now boasts of an expansive telecommunications network and a highly productive and English-proficient Filipino workforce. With India leading the group, the Philippines is currently ranked among the most favored destinations for BPO operations worldwide. |
| PGMA invites Indian investors to join bidding for privatized gov't assets |
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MUMBAI, India (via PLDT) -- President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo has invited Indian businessmen to participate in the
bidding for state properties under the government’s privatization program.
The President extended the invitation during her meeting Thursday with members of the Confederation of Indian Industries at the Taj Majal Hotel. "We invite Indian corporations to participate in the bidding for our asset privatization and to invest in Philippine government-owned and controlled corporations," the President said. She said the Philippines has cut red tape and liberalized its visa policy to make it easier for investors and visitors to enter the country. A good example of a privatized government asset is the Iligan Steel Mill in Iligan City which was acquired by India’s Ispat Industries Ltd., owner of Global Steelworks Philippines, for $225 million in 2004. Before it was privatized, Iligan Steel was operated by the National Steel Corporation (NSC). Ispat Industries managing director Vinod Mittal paid a courtesy call on the President Thursday afternoon at the Taj Majal Hotel and briefed her on the status of his company's operation in Iligan. Mittal said they have spent hundreds of millions of dollars in upgrading the Iligan steel mill, already the largest single investment so far of an Indian company in the country. Ispat Industries' Iligan steel mill, which has an annual output of three million metric tons (MTs), supplies the requirements for cold rolled coils and flat steel products in the Philippines and other countries. |
| PGMA rolls out red carpet to Indian investors |
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MUMBAI, India (via PLDT) -- President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo has rolled out the red carpet for Indian businessmen
wanting to invest in the Philippines. In her meetings Thursday with various business leaders here, the President cited the investment opportunities the Philippine has to offer, ranging from, among others, investor-friendly policies of the government to a highly-reliable, efficient and productive workforce. Among the India companies the President invited to invest or expand their business operations in the Philippines were Praj Industries Limited, hotel and resort operators, and film producers. During her meeting at the Taj Mahal Hotel with executives of Praj Industries Limited, a pioneering Indian distillery firm, the President also invited Praj Industries president and chief executive officer (CEO) Shashank Inamdar to establish his company’s regional headquarters in the Philippines. Praj Industries is one of the world’s leading distillery companies providing innovative solutions in ethanol, bio-diesel and brewery technology as well as wastewater treatment. Aside from their Indian home base, Praj Industries also has plants in Britain, Germany, the United States and Australia. The President had earlier announced her administration’s determination to pursue a sustainable alternative energy program to lift the country from its dependence on expensive imported fossil fuel and at the same time help minimize greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global warming. The President is also pushing for the massive propagation in the Philippines of jatropha that could be used as a diesel substitute. Jatropha seeds could be exported to India for processing. The President also invited India’s hotel and resort owners to invest in the Philippines, particularly in the Central Philippines beltway, to promote tourism. The Philippines, she pointed out, has a lot to offer to tourists such as pristine waters, scenic spots and white sand beaches. “We invite tourist and tourism investors to come over. We invite Indian hotel chains, such as the Tata Group and the Oberoi Group to look at, and consider the Philippines as a destination for your next projects,” she said. She also told Rajiv Gujral, chief executive officer (CEO) of Taj Mahal Hotel Resorts and Palace, to take advantage of the increasing tourists traffic in the Philippines. Ecotourism has become extremely popular and a growth sector in the Philippine economy, she said. The President also regaled Indian filmmakers with the captivating location sites in the Philippines for making movies, the Filipinos’ creative talents, post production houses and other technical and logistical requirements. “This is an advantage not only for investments but also as a film location site for the largest movie industry in the world, Bollywood,” she said in her address before the Confederation of Indian Industries at the Taj Mahal Hotel. |
| PGMA looks forward to rivival of cultural ties with India |
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NEW DELHI (via PLDT) - President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo said here today that she looks forward to the revival of
cultural ties and enhancement of economic, political, trade and diplomatic
integration between the Philippines and India. "India played a very important influence on the culture of the Philippines way back before the Spaniards colonized us and we want to revive our cultural ties,” she said in a brief media interview after the welcome ceremonies accorded her at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi this morning. The President described India now as the fourth largest economy in the world and with that, she said, comes great responsibilities to her neighbors in the economic, political and security fields. "And as one of the neighbors of India in the East Asian region, we are happy to be here to move the integration of our economies forward," she explained. The President arrived Thursday night at the Palam Air Force Station here from Mumbai. She was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano and Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye. Clad in an aqua marine dress, the Chief Executive arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Indian Presidential palace, at 9:05 a.m. (11:35 a.m. Manila time) officially opening her State Visit here. She was accorded red carpet welcome by Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and President SMT Pratibha Devisingh Patil amid full military honors. The President walked down the red carpet aisle towards the dais where the Indian Guard of Honor band played the Philippine and Indian national anthems. Singh and Patil introduced President Arroyo to the members of their cabinet and dignitaries. The Filipino Chief Executive then placed a wreath at the Samadhi (tomb) of Mahatma Gandhi, walked around the tomb in a clockwise direction before returning to the archway where she signed the Visitor's Book. She then returned to the Oberoi Hotel where she is billeted for the rest of her visit. This afternoon, the President will have an expanded bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Singh before attending a State Banquet to be hosted by President Patil in the evening. She will have a series of courtesy calls with various Indian businessmen and prominent personalities as well as a coffee meeting with the Filipino community. |
| PGMA bares signing of 9 bilateral agreements with India |
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NEW DELHI, India (via PLDT) -- President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced today the signing of nine bilateral
agreements aimed at fortifying the economic, political, security and
cultural relations between the Philippines and India. The President made the announcement during the forum of the Filipino-Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and India's Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Oberoi Hotel here this afternoon. The President said these agreements are: Framework of Philippines-India Bilateral Relations, and Agreement to Establish the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation. "These two agreements identify priorities, set directions and lead Philippines-India relations to a new era in various areas of cooperation such as defense and security, health and medicine, trade and investments, energy, agriculture, tourism and culture," the President said. The $50-million credit line from the Export and Import Bank of India. "We hope this can finance transactions that will correct the lopsided nature of our trade in favor of India. With India now as one of the world's top economies with a new middle class of half a billion people, your internal market demand and domestic consumption can have a direct and positive impact on us in terms of job creation, balance of trade and investment," the President said. Philippines-India Joint Declaration for Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism. "Indeed, terrorism is an international blight. If we are to fight terrorism together we must strengthen our defense cooperation. Last year, we signed a defense cooperation agreement but that should be carried out and implemented," she said. The President said defense cooperation should be more intensive such as the exchange of military personnel and students, joint military exercises in non-combat activities such as disaster response, peacekeeping, and other humanitarian actions. Memorandum of Agreement in the Field of Health and Medicine, and Agreement between the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) and the Indian State Trading Corporation for the purchase of $35 million worth of quality but affordable medicines from India. "Our massive spending on health care includes importing pharmaceuticals from India as part of our program to cut in half the price of medicines commonly bought by the poor," the President said. Memorandum of Agreement on Enhanced Cooperation in the Field of Renewable Energy. "We are developing a biofuels industry that helps our energy independence, create jobs and keeps our nation clean for future generations. Yesterday Praj Industries informed us they are ready to roll out their Philippine bio-ethanol plant soon. We also want to explore joint ventures between Philippine and Indian institutions to produce biofuel from sweet sorghum and jatropha," the President said. The President said she has invited Indian corporations to participate in the privatization of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) and the National Transmission Corporation (Transco). "Yesterday, Kalpataru Power Transmission said they would join the bid for the December privatization of our national transmission grid," the President said. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Foreign Service Institutes of the Philippines and India. Memorandum of Agreement on the Waiver of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic Passports and Official Passports. "We have liberalized our policy towards Indian nationals. We had an anachronistic policy considering Indians as restricted nationals. How illogical to restrict nationals of the world's fourth largest economy when we should be courting you instead," the President said. As a result of India's new-found economic power, the President said there are political, economic and strategic implications for India and the East Asian region. “As India becomes a true political and economic giant, your obligations to your neighbors also increase, separate from your obligations to your own citizens. These are big responsibilities which we hope will be accommodated in our bilateral relations with each other," the President said. |
| Bollywood to produce movies using RP's beautiful scenery as settings |
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NEW DELHI (via PLDT) -- President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo said today that Bollywood (the Indian version of Hollywood)
movies would be produced in the Philippines within the year using the
country's beautiful scenery and alternative location sites as setting. Speaking before the Filipino-Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry forum at the Oberoi Hotel here, the President said she invited Indian filmmakers during their courtesy call on her Thursday in Mumbai to consider the Philippines as an alternative site for producing Bollywood films. "When we explained this to 17 members of Bollywood yesterday, they agreed to visit the Philippines before the end of the year to look for film locations. The leading producer, Aditya Raj Kapoor committed to make a movie in the Philippines within a year," the President said. The President said the Philippines offers fine location sites, creative Filipino talents, post production houses and studios, and other technical and logistics requirements for Bollywood, the largest film industry in the world which is producing some 1,000 films each year. In an earlier interview, Viva Films chief executive officer Vic del Rosario said the Philippines could take advantage of the huge market of India, having a population of some 1.1 billion next only to China's 1.3 billion people. Del Rosario said the Philippines could develop and offer alternative production sites for foreign filmmakers in Subic and Clark such as the Fantasia Philippines. Thomas Puig, chief executive officer of Compressor Films that was involved in the production of the top-grosser film "Pirates of the Caribbean," added that his company is eyeing alternative production and location sites such as Fantasia's giant water tank and the scenic islands and water areas in the country. |
| PGMA hails new $1.6-billion investment of India's Ispat Industries in RP |
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NEW DELHI, India (via PLDT) -- President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo hailed today the planned $1.6-billion new investment
of Ispat Industries Ltd., owner of Global Steelworks Philippines, which is
so far the biggest single Indian investment in the Philippines. The President made the statement during the forum of the Filipino-Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and India's Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Oberoi Hotel here this afternoon. The President said that because of the highly conducive investment climate in the Philippines, Global Steelworks now joins the billion-dollar investments made by America's Texas Instruments and AES, Hanjin Industries of Korea and Marubeni Corporation of Japan. Ispat Industries Managing Director Vinod Mittal reported on their plan to establish a new integrated steel plant in southern Philippines during a courtesy call on the President Thursday afternoon at the Taj Majal Hotel in Mumbai. "Global Steelworks of Mittal joins our billion dollars club by informing us of their plan to set up an integrated steel plant in southern Philippines involving investments of $1.6 billion," the President said. As part of the government's asset privatization program, Global Steelworks Philippines acquired in 2004 for $225 million the Philippines' largest steel mill in Iligan City, formerly operated by the National Steel Corporation (NSC). During his courtesy call, Mittal reported to the President that they have already spent hundreds of millions of dollars in upgrading the Iligan steel mill operation that has an output of three million metric tons (MTs) per year. Mittal said they now supply the requirements for various steel products in the Philippines and other countries. |
| President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Speech at the FICCI/ASSOCHAM/CII in New Delhi, October 5, 2007 |
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• We thank the FICCI, ASSOCHAM and CII for the
chance to be together today, at a time when India has become one of the
world’s top economies, and at a time when the Philippine economy has reached
a new level of maturity and stability. • We cannot highlight enough the great strides that India has accomplished in recent years. Your impressive growth, largely fueled by a knowledge economy, is unique and worthy of emulation. It has made you the world’s fourth largest economy. • There are political, economic and strategic implications for India and the East Asian region as a result of your new-found economic power. As India becomes a true political and economic giant, your obligations to your neighbors also increase, separate from your obligations to your own citizens. These are big responsibilities which we hope will be accommodated in our bilateral relations with each other. • The highlights of the bilaterals we have struck between India and the Philippines include eight agreements: (1) a Framework of Philippines-India Bilateral Relations and (2) Agreement to Establish the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation. These two agreements identify priorities, set directions and lead Philippine-India relations to a new era in various areas of cooperation such as defense and security, health and medicine, trade and investments, energy including renewable energy, agriculture, tourism, and culture. • (3) $50 million credit line from the Export and Import Bank of India. We hope this can finance transactions that will correct the lopsided nature of our trade in favor of India. With India now one of the world’s top economies with a new middle class of half a billion people, your internal market demand and domestic consumption can have a direct and positive impact on us in terms of job creation, balance of trade and investment. • Most of the Philippine exports to India are industrial inputs like electronics, phosphoric acid and newsprint. With India’s half a billion new middle class we hope we can do more trade in consumer products like fashion garments, fashion furniture, and the trendy virgin coconut oil. • Yesterday noon at the meeting of the Confederation of Indian Industries in Mumbai, I told the business community that the current surge of investments in the Philippines has been anchored by the billion dollar plus investments in our country of several major international companies such as America’s Texas Instruments and AES, Korea’s Hanjin and Japan’s Marubeni. • In the afternoon Global Steel of Mittal joined our billion dollar club by informing us of their plans to set up an integrated steel plant in southern Philippines involving investments of $1.6 billion. • In BPO, Credence Analytics signed a joint venture with a Philippine company, WNS informed us of their plan to set up in the Philippines, while Sutherland informed us of its plans to double its knowledge based employment in the Philippines. • We believe the Philippines offers the best value for Indian investment today. We offer a strategic location in a fast-growing region, our workforce is well educated, productive and English speaking. • This is an advantage also as a film location site for the Indian movie industry. The Philippines is not only advantageous but a premier choice for film shooting because of its white sand beaches, enigmatic and mysterious rainforests, historical heritage sites, and crystalline scapes like lahar and sand dunes. It is a fountain of creative and service talent. We have the production equipment, post production houses and studios, sound stages and other technical and logistics requirements. • When we explained this to members of Bollywood yesterday, they agreed to visit the Philippines before the end of the year to look for film locations. The famous producer Aditya Raj Kapoor has decided to do a movie in the Philippines. • Our white sand beaches combine with the beautiful smiles of our people to make tourism one of our growth sectors. Yesterday Taj Resorts agreed to go to the Philippines to look at possible investment sites. Our Secretary of Tourism, Ace Durano, shall also invite the Oberoi Group to look at the Philippines for their next project. • A possible area of agricultural partnership and cooperation is in the sector of dairy and livestock meat products. The Philippines imports more than 1.7 million metric tons of milk and cream products, as well as more than 50,000 metric tons of carabao beef meat. • The Indian Ministry of Agriculture’s Animal Husbandry Division has no problem with our securing livestock strengthening Philippines livestock. We are looking for partnerships in livestock technology involving artificial insemination, grow-out farms and meat processing operations. The Philippines is foot-and-mouth disease free and bird flu free. We can supply both our growing demand and that of Asia. • On energy, we likewise invite Indian corporations to participate in the privatization of our national power assets. Yesterday Kalpataru Power Transmission said they would join t |
