VIENTIANE – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday invited India to share its expertise about providing quality medicine.
Marcos made the request during the ASEAN-India Summit on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.
“On health cooperation, we thank India’s continued support for Traditional and Complementary Medicine, as well as its sharing of expertise on Cancer Management and Research and Development,” Marcos said.
“We also invite India to share its strengths as the world’s pharmaceutical hub and to share expertise in providing affordable and quality medicines, including vaccine production and distribution within the region, and support the initiative on ASEAN Vaccine Security and Self-Reliance,” he added.
Marcos also mentioned the Philippines’ support on the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) to make more user-friendly, simple, and trade facilitative agreements for businesses, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
He further recognized the importance of AITIGA in easing trade restrictions, hoping that India would continue supporting the agreed provisions.
“We hope that the review of the AITIGA will effectively lessen restrictions to trade and that India will continue to support its agreed provisions,” the President said.
Marcos expressed optimism about future cooperation with India in the digital realm through the ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Advancing Digital Transformation.
He also encouraged India to explore its promotion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in ASEAN through the sharing of knowledge on establishing industry-academia partnerships to enhance enterprise-based training schemes.
The Philippines is honored to play a positive role in promoting ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations, according to Marcos.
“We are confident that our shared values, which are the basis of our 75 years of vibrant bilateral relations, will benefit ASEAN-India relations for the betterment of our region and our peoples,” Marcos said. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
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