OPISYAL na magiging epektibo sa Disyembre 31, 2024 ang Korea-Philippine Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Sa isang kalatas, inanunsyo ng Korean Embassy sa Maynila na puwersahang pumasok ang FTA “a year ahead of schedule” at naghatid sa bagong era ng partnership sa pagitan ng dalawang estado para sa susunod na 100 taon.
“The FTA will unlock significant opportunities for both countries. By fostering deeper trade and investment ties across key sectors such as industry, agriculture, infrastructure, and energy, the agreement will pave the way for economic growth,” ang sinabi pa rin ng Embahada sabay sabing “with a comprehensive scope covering 97 percent of imports, the deal will significantly enhance market access for Philippine products like bananas and pineapples in the Korean market.”
“Korean companies are also expected to contribute to the creation of quality jobs through expanded investments in advanced manufacturing, including automobiles, electronics, and energy,” ang winika ng embahada.
Maliban sa mga pakinabang sa ekonomiya, sinabi ng Embahada na ang FTA ay magsisilbi bilang “catalyst for shaping the future of both countries,”pagpapaunlad ng pagtutulungan sa mga larangan ng ‘healthcare, carbon reduction, innovative technologies, at electric vehicles.’
“The entry into force of the Korea-Philippines FTA marks the dawn of a new era in our strategic partnership,” ang sinabi naman ni Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa.
“The Korean government will actively collaborate with the Philippine government to ensure that the FTA realizes its maximum potential in strengthening economic ties and fostering deeper cooperation between our two nations,”aniya pa rin.
SUMABAY naman ang anunsyo sa ika-75 taong anibersaryo ng ugnayan ng Philippine-Korea at ang strategic partnership ay idineklara ng dalawang bansa noong Oktubre.
Para sa mahigit 75 taon, nabuo ang mahigpit na pagtutulungan sa larangan ng politika, ekonomiya, kultura at people-to-people exchanges.
“This momentous occasion marks a bold stride towards a new era of unparalleled cooperation between the two nations,” ang sinabi ng embahada.
Samantala, matatandaang nilagdaan ang Philippine-Korea FTA noong Sept. 7, 2023, sa sidelines ng 43rd ASEAN Summit sa Jakarta, Indonesia.
Sa ilalim ng kasunduan, nagkaloob ang Korea ng duty-free entry sa 11,164 Philippine products na nagkakahalaga ng USD3.18 billion o 87.4% ng kabuuang Korean imports mula sa Pilipinas. Kris Jose
