Music Room, Malacañang
21 July 2014

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Toshimitsu Motegi and members of his delegation in a courtesy call at Malacañan Palace.

Minister Motegi is in the country to ensure Japan’s commitment to strengthen the trade and economic ties with the Philippines following the meeting of President Aquino with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in June.

In the recent Japan-Philippine Industrial Cooperation Dialogue, Minister Motegi and Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo agreed to prioritize several issues and industries including Japan-Philippines’ cooperation in multilateral and regional frameworks, development of industry, services, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), improvement in business environment, and the general review of the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe, Japan Trade and Industry Director General Hideo Suzuki and Director of Asia and Pacific Division of Trade Policy Bureau Mr. Daiki Kasugahara were also present during the call.

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