16 February 2005 – Presidential Special Envoy to Palau and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Edsel T. Custodio announced that the Philippine Government is in the process of exploring beneficial relationship with the Palau.

“The Philippines is in an excellent position to explore complementarities with relatively wealthy Pacific island economies such as Palau’s. Its proximity gives the Philippines a competitive advantage in providing skilled labor to three small island states as well as food, manufacturing and construction supplies,” Undersecretary Custodio said.

The Special Envoy visited Palau from 26 to 29 January 2005 to represent President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the inauguration of Palau’s new government under the leadership of President Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr. He also met with Palau’s top government officials such as Minister of State Temmy Shmull, Minister of Commerce and Trade Otoichi Besebes, Minister of Health Victor Yano and Minister of Resources and Development Fritz Koshiba. He said that his visit and meetings with Palau’s top government officials allowed the Philippines “to gain deeper understanding of Palau’s policy-making process which makes both countries in a better position to move forward.”

Undersecretary Custodio recommended that the Philippines make full use of its air services agreement with Palau to encourage carriers like Cebu Pacific to open a regular route to expand trade and medical tourism. He also recommended that, on the policy level, the Philippine Government develop a South Pacific strategy that will integrate nearby Pacific Island states into our Mindanao development agenda and explore possible linkages with Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines- East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

The Special Envoy also intends to further improve Philippine-Palau relations by improving working relations with private business sector leaders in Davao and SOCSARGEN. END
 

/jay