National Day Bilateral Relations

Message

ON 23rd March 1940, PAKISTAN RESOLUTION was passed unanimously on 24th March 1940 and finally paved the way for an independent Muslim State called Pakistan which came into existence on 14 August 1947. Pakistani nation is proud of its forefathers’ political vision, struggle and perceptiveness which made possible the creation of Pakistan for the Muslims of India. Undoubtedly, this is a day of thanksgiving and rejoicing for whole Pakistani nation either living within Pakistan or abroad. Presently, the Government that came to power through Constitutional ‘Vote of Confidence’ in April 2022 and the nation together are working hard to overcome its current economic crisis due to COVID-19 pandemic as well as some inadequacies in handling of economic affairs of the country by the previous Government. Every Pakistani is confident that our country has the ability and capacity to come out of its current economic conditions and Insha Allah this will happen soon.

I am happy that an Agreement on Defence Cooperation was signed between Pakistan and Philippines on 5th May 2022 which will improve already existing excellent defence ties. Pakistan’s Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra delegations visited Manila and participated in the first mega event in the Philippines i.e. Asian Defence & Security Conference/Exhibition from 27-29 April 2022

The bilateral trade between Pakistan and the Philippines has been growing at steadily pace. In January this year, a 27-member delegation of Rice Exporters’ Association of Pakistan (REAP) visited Manila and met with senior Government officials and the private importers of Rice. Some good agreements have been concluded and the export of Pakistan’s rice is expected to grow further under the reduced tariff duties applicable to ASEAN countries.

On this occasion,

Asakawa. (9 March 2023)

Investment has expired and text of a new Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) has already been shared with the Philippines side for their views/comments.

Philippines-Pakistan Trade Relations nThe bilateral trade between Pakistan and the Philippines for the financial year 2021 stood at US$ 204.40 million. Despite COVID-19 this trend has shown an increase of 17.70% as the trend in 2019-2020 stood at US$ 157.13 million. Likewise, Foreign Director Investment from the Philippines also increased from US$ 0.2 million to US$ 2.0 million in the year 2020-21. Inflow of remittance from the Philippines to Pakistan remained US $ 4.9 million, under the Roshan Digital Account. nThe Philippines is currently Pakistan’s 43rd largest partner while Pakistan is the Philippines’ 49th largest partner. Pakistan’s exports to the Philippines were recorded at US$ 141.92 million as compared to import from Philippines stood at US$ 62.47 million during period FY2021, thus making the Philippines the 5th largest export destination in ASEAN. The Balance of trade has been (in huge surplus) in favor of Pakistan at US$ 79.45 million. nOn 21st May 2022 Philippines’ nOf late, the Mission also organized public sector and private sector meetings for a week-long visit by a 28- member delegation of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) to the

President issued Ex. Order (EO) extending exemption on import of Pakistani rice till 31st December 2022 which has now been extended upto 31st December 2023. The executive order brought a big relief on import of Pakistani rice to this country when import duties were reduced from 50% to 35% as applicable to ASEAN countries in the region.

Philippines from 21st January to 26th January, 2023. The meetings at Ministerial level were held in the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade & Industry and with the President of Philippines Chamber of Commerce & Industry. A useful visit was also conducted at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) on 24 Jan. wherein Director General of the Institute welcomed the delegation and a cooperative framework between REAP and IRRI was agreed upon. A large number of B2B meetings in the private sector were also arranged which resulted in conclusion of rice import from Pakistan to the tune of half a million MTs.

Investment nThe International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) is ports’ container and terminal services’ expert and the largest transportation entity in the Philippines. It has also been declared the best transport company in the Philippines. It contributes substantially to the Philippines GDP. nICTSI have acquired the majority stake in Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT) at the Port of Karachi in October 2021 and invested an amount of US$ 20 million in Pakistan’s Blue Economy. The ICTSI increased its stake in PICT from 64.54% to 71.68%. It is worth recalling that the PICT was established in 2002 and became a subsidiary of ICSTI in 2012. It is located at West Wharf of the Karachi Port. Presently it handles 85% of the Arabian/GCC market including industrial scrap. PICT is among 25 top companies of Pakistan Stock Exchange. nEntry into force of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between State Bank of Pakistan and Bangko Sentral NG Pilipinas (Central Bank of Philippines) w.e.f 28th January 2022 is another important development between the two countries.

Defence relations nPakistan and Philippines nConsidering the requirements of AFP, especially of its air force, it is highlighted that aircrafts being manufactured by Pakistan

Armed Forces enjoy cordial and friendly bilateral relations that are manifested in various domains and fields like interactions and visits at senior military leadership level, participation in bilateral training, port visits by naval ships, professional interactions and knowledge sharing, etc. In this regard, both countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation in Manila on 5th May 2022.

Aeronautical complex (PAC), Kamra could entirely meet Philippines’ requirements, both in terms of quality as well as financial impact. Pakistan could give serious consideration to the sale of arms and ammunition, drones and other security related equipment etc. to the Philippines armed forces and police to enhance its capacity to combat terrorism.

Pakistan Community in the Philippines

nCurrently, around 1,271 Pakistanis are living in the Philippines. The Embassy is actively engaged in extending consular and legal assistance to

Pakistanis in distress. As a result of Embassy’s efforts and host authorities’ cooperation several Pakistanis, who were jailed have been released or acquitted. Embassy keeps a regular contact with the Pakistani community and invites them at various events of national significance organized by the Embassy. This Mission also has an active and helpful participation in community related WhatsApp group as well as Mission’s own website which has the accessibility and interface with the community and was launched in March this year. Mission’s officers and staff are available to community 24/7.

I thank the Overseas Pakistanis living across Philippines for the continued support and valuable contribution to the our economy by sending remittances through various channels such as Roshan Digital Programme, Sohni Dharti Programme, etc. I also appreciate our community in promoting Pakistan’s soft image, culture and cuisine in Philippines.

H.E nThe Ambassador Dr. Kazi administered oath to the newly elected President of Pakistan-Philippines Friendship Association (Mr. Shahzad Ahmad Kurshied) in Subic Bay city. nIn July 2020, around 50 Pakistani nationals stranded in the Philippines were accommodated on a flight chartered by the Philippine Government for the purpose of bringing home Filipino nationals from Pakistan.

Last year, President of Pakistan extended an invitation to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to visit Pakistan. I am confident that such a visit would materialize after firming up of dates in due course and the existing cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries will flourish further. Besides congratulating my Pakistani expats living in the brotherly country of Philippines, also take this opportunity to wish all the very best to our Filipino brothers and sisters.

Maraming Salamat at Mabuhay! Long-Live PakistanPhilippines Friendship.

Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul in November 2021.

Meanwhile, an estimated 194 Filipinos were repatriated from Pakistan since the start of the Pandemic. Pakistan also helped in evacuation of Filipinos from

Filipino Communityexpatriate in Pakistan

n There are an estimated 2,000 plus Filipinos in Pakistan which includes few hundred permanent residents married to Pakistani nationals, around 1000 documented working visa holders (in IT, hotel industry, nurses, therapists, religious missionaries, those employed in textile mills and road construction projects, and workers from UN and other international organizations) and some irregular/undocumented residents.