The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Philippines

  • Nigeria, Philippines to discuss economic ties

    TO increase the economic ties between Nigeria and Philippines, the two countries are meeting in Abuja under the second Nigeria/Philippines Joint Commission.

    While the Nigerian side was led by the Foreign Affairs Minister of State I, Prof.Viola Onwuliri, the Philippines’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Erlinda Basilio led her country’s delegation to the meeting.

    They noted that in spite of the strong political ties between the two countries, which started in the 1960s, the economic trade volumes between them have remained low.

    According to them, the first Nigeria, Philippines Joint Commission was held 27 years ago and decisions from the meeting were not fully implemented.

    Mrs Onwuliri said: “In spite of the long standing relations between Nigeria and the Philippines, economic and trade relations between both countries have been quite low.”

    “While it is heartening to note that there have been an increasing number of Filipino companies conducting business in Nigeria which signifies a push in this direction, there is yet much to be done to improve our economic and trade relations.”

  • Minister scores Nigeria, Philippines trade relations low

    Minister scores Nigeria, Philippines trade relations low

    The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, on Thursday scored the trade relations between Nigeria and Philippines as “quite low.”

    The minister made the remark at the 2nd Nigeria-Philippines Joint Commission in Abuja.

    “In spite of the long standing relations between the two countries, the economic and trade relations have been quite low..

    “Whilst it is heartening to note that there have been an increasing number of Filipino companies conducting business in Nigeria, there is yet much to be done to improve our economic and trade relations,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the minister as saying at the forum.

    Onwuliri, however, noted that the two countries had achieved “a desirable” record on their bilateral relations.

    She said that numerous Filipinos had been engaged as expatriate workers thereby contributing positively to the development of Nigeria.

    The minister also noted that some Nigerians were currently in the process of taking up jobs in the Philippines.

    Onwuliri described the Commission, which was being kick- started 27 years after its establishment, as significant adding that a new impetus will be introduced to broaden existing bilateral relations.

    “Nigeria and Philippines have several areas for mutually beneficial cooperation which will enhance the growth and development of our two countries,’’ she said.

    The minister listed the areas to include education, health, agriculture, water resources, immigration, culture and tourism, trade and commerce and Justice.

    She suggested that the collective desire and focus of the two countries should be to institute fruitful deliberations.