Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday called on nations to work with one another to thwart the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to create an environment conducive for trade and development.
Speaking at the inaugural Philippine Strategic Trade Management Summit 2024 in Taguig City, Marcos highlighted the importance of efficient export control of strategic goods, especially those used for military purposes or the production of weapons of mass destruction.
Citing the emerging technologies both in civilian and military fields that pose challenges in trade management, Marcos said nations must be more agile and more responsible, and should be able to address ‘both the speed and dual-use nature of these new technologies.’
‘Given the rapid pace of technological advancement, our regulation strategy should be dynamic, adaptable, [and] forward-thinking. We must also work together to create a system that is not only robust but is versatile, equitable, and also resilient,’ Marcos said.
‘By le
veraging our collective strengths, we can advance regional initiatives that ensure supply chain security, counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and insurgency, and create an environment where trade can thrive,’ he added.
Marcos said this would also be the ‘key to harnessing our collective economic prowess and sustaining our region as an epicenter of growth in this century.’
The Philippine Strategic Trade Management Summit 2024 convenes senior-level government officials from different strategic trade agencies across the globe to discuss the latest trends, issues and challenges surrounding Strategic Trade Management (STM).
It covers all aspects of counter-proliferation and serves as a platform for exchanging perspectives and best practices on promoting informed compliance and enforcing STM laws.
Nations participating in the event include member states from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the European Union, as well as representatives from the United Nations and other c
ountries from Africa and in the Pacific.
PH doing its part
According to Marcos, the Philippines has launched a strategic investment plan focused on developing key industries to better position the country in the global market.
The President said policies that require individuals and entities engaging in STMA-covered activities to register and to receive authorization to deliver their services have been put in place.
He added that programs to educate not only the border control and import/export officers in fulfilling their responsibilities but also stakeholders to properly comply with our rules and our regulations have been implemented while post-authorization audits, compliance checks, and compliance consultations are routinely conducted.
‘But the work does not end there-we will continue to upgrade industry standards, modernize regulations, and further establish linkages through various trade and investment frameworks such as the ASEAN, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, Regional Comprehensive Economic
Partnership, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, all these so that we can see a more competitive region in the future,’ Marcos said.
Source: Philippines News agency
