http://www.malaya.com.ph/sep06/busi3.htm

The Chamber of the Commerce and Industry Foundation (CCPF) yesterday asked for the continued protection of the petrochemical and mining industries under bilateral free trade agreements.

In a press conference, CCPF president Melito S. Salazar Jr. said the Philippines needs the FTAs but it must take care that industries needing protection be protected.

He said the country needs the FTAs to share in tariff concessions that competitor countries are enjoying.

He cautioned that a coordinated and cohesive Philippine free trade roadmap be done with inputs from all stakeholders, government, non-government and private business.

At the onset, Salazar said, the Philippines should continue protecting petrochemicals and mining as these are strategic and basic industries.

Petrochemicals, he said, is a processing industry that feeds on other industries, while mining is a natural resource-based sector that has a strong potential for export.

He lamented that lack of coordinated industrial policies and external pressures from the vested interests of private sector had prevented us from taking any significant step towards bilateralism.

With the collapse of talks in the World Trade Organization, Salazar said bilaterals are essential now as a number of countries, like Thailand and Singapore both with the United States, are reaping the benefits of greater market access and tariff concessions with other countries.

Salazar said the CCPF supports the creation of the Philippine trade representative which would coordinate with different agencies on trade matters.

According to Salazar, at a recent forum sponsored by the group, government officials acknowledged that low budget and frequent changes in the leadership at the trade department have led to the slow pace at which we engage in bilateral FTAs.

He said that the officials also noted that there is no concrete strategies or deliberate policies towards FTAs.

The CCPF is the foundation arm of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is focusing on advocacy to push critical concerns