MANILA — Two bilateral agreements on agriculture and investment promotion were signed by the Philippines and Turkey during the recently concluded Philippine-Turkey Joint Committee for Economic and Technical Cooperation (PH-TR JCETC) meeting early this month, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported Monday.
The DFA said the inaugural PH-TR JCETC meet ran from Feb. 5 to 6 in Ankara, Turkey.
Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez and Turkish National Defense Minister Nurretin Canikli signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippine and Turkey governments on agricultural cooperation that aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in plant production and protection, agricultural research, fisheries, research in related fields and joint ventures between the private sectors, among others.
Meanwhile, Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, head of the Philippine Board of Investments and Arda Ermut, president of Turkey’s Prime Ministry Investment Support and Promotion Agency, signed the MOU between the two agencies.
The second agreement aims to strengthen Philippines-Turkey ties through exchange of best practices and information on investment environment and opportunities.
The signing of the MOUs was witnessed by Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez and Turkish National Defense Minister Nurretin Canikli, who co-chaired the PH-TR JCETC meet.
During the meeting, DFA bared that Lopez and Canikli also discussed opportunities for cooperation in defense industries, construction and consultancy services, shipbuilding and energy.
Among others, the two delegation heads exchanged views on the economic situations in their respective countries, anti-terrorism efforts in their respective regions, as well as prospects for micro, small and medium enterprise development and Islamic financing for the rehabilitation of Marawi.
On the sidelines, Lopez met with the Turkish Contractors Association and the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey, where he highlighted the country’s economic performance, its strategic location in the region and the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program. (PNA)