President Rodrigo Duterte has agreed to expand security cooperation and to increase trade with Vietnam and Indonesia after meeting with the two Asean head of states on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Leaders’ summit in Singapore.
President Duterte announced the twin developments after several Filipino and Singaporean businessmen firmed up $187 million worth of investment deals through memoranda of understanding and letters of intent at the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Hotel where the summit is being held.
"Duterte met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Indonesian President Joko Widodo and discussed several issues that included the arbitral decision on the disputed West Philippine Sea or South China Sea," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.
“The President and the Vietnamese Prime Minister discussed about the purchase of rice from Vietnam,” Roque said, adding that Vietnam “reiterated their willingness to supply quality rice to the Philippines.”
“The issue of fishermen being arrested for illegal fishing was also discussed. But the President stressed that this is not a big issue because there are many fish to be caught,” he said.
President Duterte also vowed to go after members of the Abu Sayyaf Group who kidnapped Vietnamese sailors.
He said the Philippines looked forward to increasing two-way trade with Vietnam and encouraged more investments.
Both leaders cited the importance of partnership to ensure ample supply of rice in the Philippines, Roque said.
The leaders also emphasized the need to continue working closely together to ensure security and stability in the region, including in the South China Sea.
They reaffirmed the importance of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the constitution of the oceans.
Both leaders reaffirmed the value of Philippine-Vietnam relations.
President Duterte later met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at Istana and in a pull-aside meeting reaffirmed the importance of relations between the Philippines and Indonesia.
Duterte witnessed the signing of MOU and LOI between Philippine and Singaporean entities, which include Jollibee Foods and Filinvest Group.
In his speech after the signing ceremonies, Duterte assured Singaporean businessmen of ease of doing business in the Philippines which he said he was trying to rid of graft and corrupt practices in government. “Is there corruption? Maybe in the past. But I assure you now that you will have an ease of doing business in the Philippines.”
The President also appealed to importers to comply with rules and pay the correct amount of taxes.
“As long as you pay your taxes, just obey the laws, the environmental requirements are there and everything that would maybe bring in some complaints…There are a set of laws to follow. If it’s followed, then we are okay and we can talk about business. And I welcome you. I will give you, I assure you the protection that you need,” he said.
Duterte urged investors who may encounter abusive Philippine officials.
“That is the only thing that you need to hear from me. That you are protected, that you can bring out your profits, that there will be law and order in your place and that you will not be visited by a lot of government people questioning this question that—in the guise of inspection but for the reason that they are there because of the money. Do not give in to them,” he said.
The MOUs and LOIs signed include the following:
• MOU between Filinvest Development Corp. and Keppel Corp. to explore cooperation in development of project in Filinvest City, edge computing data centers in Metro Manila, and urban solutions for Clark Ciry
• MOU between Everhydro and Ocean Pizel for a collaboration to develop marine renewable projects in Zamboanga
• LOI between SIA Engineering Co. Ltd and Cebu Air Inc. to enter into discussion on potential growth opportunities for its joint venture companies in the Philiipines
* LOI between Lepack packaging Pte. Ltd and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to explore opportunities in the Philippines on plastic packaging and film manufacturing
• LOI between DTI and ASEAN Business Advisory Council to jointly work on a feasibility study to identify a site suitable for the implementation of SGConnect legacy project
• MOU between Filinvest Development Corp. and Hitachi Asia Ltd. to explore collaborative opportunities and determine business opportunities on social innovation, energy management, information and communication technology, water solutions, security, financial technology, and urban development on existing and future projects of Filinvest, its subsidiaries and affiliates
• MOU between Robin Village International Pte. Ltd. and ICS ICT upport Services Corp. to explore cooperation of collaboration in prefabricated projects for areas needing fast deployment
• MOU between Ascent Solutions Pte. Ltd. and Ascent Solutions Philippines Inc. to bring state-of-the-art technology to the Philippines market to increase competitive advantage of Philippines businesses and improve public sector
• LOI between Jollibee Foods Corp. and Golden Beeworks Pte. Ltd. to enter into a development agreement for 25 new Jollibee outlets in Singapore for a period of five years
• MOU between the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Singapore Manufacturing Federation to promote, strengthen, and expand trade, economic, scientific, technological cooperation and other business relations between concerned organizations and firms of both parties.