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Trade chief remains optimistic of RCEP ratification

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez MANILA - Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez remains optimistic that the Senate will eventually concur with the country's participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Participation (RCEP) when the session resumes this year. This as the upper house failed to concur on RCEP ratification, a document needed by the Philippines to make the trade deal enter into force, as the Senate takes a break starting Friday to give way for the campaign period. "Our participation in RCEP is a matter of time. The Philippines could not afford to miss this. It would be devastating to stay out of the agreement. It will be costly, and we will be missing a lot of opportunities," Lopez said in a statement Thursday. The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) earlier presented that the country could miss a 2-percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth if it would not be able to ratify the regional trade deal, and could experience a 0.26-percent decline if the ....

Ramon Lopez , Aquilino Koko Pimentel , Philippine Institute For Development Studies , Senate Foreign Relations Committee , Public Service , Secretary Ramon Lopez , Regional Comprehensive Economic Participation , Philippine Institute , Development Studies , Foreign Investment Act , Public Service Act , Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez Manila Remains Optimistic That The Senate Will Eventually Concur With Country 39s Participation In Regional Comprehensive Economic Rcep When Session Resumes This Year As Upper House Failed To On Ratification , A Document Needed By The Philippines To Make Trade Deal Enter Into Force , S The Senate Takesa Break Starting Friday To Give Way For Campaign Period Quot Our Participation In Rcep Isa Matter Of Time Philippines Could Not Afford Miss This It Would Be Devastating Stay Out Agreement Will Costly , Nd We Will Be Missinga Lot Of Opportunities , Uot Lopez Said Ina Statement Thursday The Philippine Institute For Development Studies Pids Earlier Presented That Country Could Missa 2 Percent Gross Domestic Product Gdp Growth If It Would Not Be Able To Ratify Regional Trade Deal , Nd Could Experiencea 0 26 Percent Decline If The Philippines Would Be Only Country Left In Rcep Not Ratifying Agreement Quot It Sendsa Wrong Signal To International Community , Nd This May Impact The Country 39s Effort In Promoting Competitiveness Of Our Local Industries As Well Ability To Attract Foreign Direct Investments , Specially When Compared With Our Asean Neighbors That Are Already Part Of The Rcep This May Also Affect Other International Trade Engagements We Pursuing , Uot Lopez Added The Trade Chief Said Country 39s Participation In Rcep Has Been Supported By Various Local Industries And Sectors , Ncluding Agriculture Lopez Said His Office Recognizes The Concerns Raised By Some Farmer Groups , Ut These Concerns Are Well Addressed In The Agreement Quot It Is Alwaysa Holistic Approach We Cannot Afford To Just Focus On Certain Sectors Our Goal Isa Strong Economy Not Only For Businesses And Investors But General Welfare That Means , More Investments , More Production , More Jobs , More Opportunities ,