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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider US committed to expand economic power in Philippines, Indo-Pacific — Harris

US committed to expand economic power in Philippines, Indo-Pacific — Harris

Published May 21, 2024 10:38 am

United States Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday, May 21, said that the US government is committed to expand its economic leadership in the Indo-Pacific, including in the Philippines, as it led for the 6th time Washington's premier public-private trade partnership forum in Manila.

Harris said the 6th Indo-Pacific Business Forum (IPBF) is proof that the US is "delivering results" as well as "investing in sustainable infrastructure."

It also proves the US' commitment to create resilient supply chains, including for critical minerals, and accelerate the adoption of clean energy.

"Together, we will continue expanding opportunity and building an economy that supports all people," Harris said in her statement delivered on her behalf during the forum.

The US' Department of Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and the Philippine government on Tuesday hosted the IPBF in Manila that gathered  government leaders and those from the private sector from the US and across the Indo-Pacific region to build partnerships and share insights on the latest trends, opportunities, and solutions to support infrastructure in the region's emerging economies.

The key topics for this year’s forum included clean energy, digital transformation, supply chain resiliency, transportation infrastructure, and emerging technologies.

During the forum, USTDA Director Enoh Ebong signed two agreements for two new digital infrastructure projects in the Indo-Pacific, including one that is particular for the Philippines.

"We awarded a grant to the Filipino company Responsible Internet Sustainability Effort, locally known as RISE, for a feasibility study," Ebong said.

The project will help internet service providers in the Philippines to strengthen the delivery of high quality and resilient Internet services, especially in underserved communities, she added.

Early April, the White House announced the establishment of an “economic corridor” in Luzon to connect the four major hubs of Subic Bay, Clark, Manila and Batangas. The corridor will "accelerate coordinated investments in high-impact infrastructure projects."

Ebong said that Washington is now working to see how best it can apply its expertise in project development in the corridor and within the cities identified.

"So our shared success always depends on the quality of our partnerships. We feel our partnerships in the region are strong. They are productive. And we see no better place in the Indo-Pacific to build these partnerships than right here at a forum like this in Manila," she added.

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Kamala Harris Indo-Pacific Business Forum
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