BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven Robinson AO said his government aims to further improve its trade and investments in the country, particularly in Negros Occidental.
Robinson was in Negros Occidental last week and paid courtesy calls to Negros Occidental governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, outgoing Bacolod City mayor Evelio Leonardia, and members of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In a meet-up with the Negrense media, Robinson said the trade relation of Australia and the Philippines is growing at a great pace.
Robinson said previous meetings between Department of Foreign Affairs secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. and Department of Trade and Industry secretary Ramon Lopez with their Australian counterparts and they agreed to reexamine and elevate both countries’ strategic partnership in the second half of 2022.
Robinson said they are looking at elevating the number of investments in the country, especially in Negros Occidental.
During the administration of the late governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., several agreements and partnerships with Australian firms were signed. These covered agriculture, livestock, education, and skills training.
“There are at least 300 Australian companies operating in the Philippines, and they have been operating for some time,” Robinson said.
Robinson expressed confidence that despite the problems brought by the coronavirus pandemic, the Philippine economy will rebound, grow, and return to pre-pandemic levels./PN
