Philippines eyes trade reset with Turkey to boost infra, manufacturing
(Unsplash)
The Philippines is planning to ease existing hurdles to trade with Turkey as it looks to encourage investments in the country’s manufacturing and infrastructure sectors, according to the Board of Investments (BOI).
In a statement, the investment promotion agency said BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo met with Turkey’s Ministry of Trade Deputy Minister Mustafa Tuzcu on April 28 to discuss plans to expand trade cooperation between the two countries.
The combined trade in goods and services between the Philippines and Turkey stood at a modest $365 million last year, which the BOI said shows that there is still room for growth.
The Philippines has been identified by Turkey for nearly three years now as one of the priority countries under its “far country strategy,” through which it aims to increase its exports.
In response, the BOI said the government is looking to resolve pending issues and “unnecessary” obstacles to foster a mutually beneficial trade and investment relationship with Turkey.
Rodolfo said the agency is committed to working with the appropriate government agencies to review the anti-dumping duties on wheat flour imposed on certain Turkish exporters, which are set to expire next year.
He also said the government will consider the accreditation of Turkish poultry products for export to the Philippines after lifting the ban on the importation of wild and domestic birds in October last year following the containment of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
By easing trade flows, Rodolfo said the Philippines hopes to attract investments in manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture, and halal cooperation.
For Turkey, expanding trade cooperation with the Philippines further strengthens its presence among neighboring countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Turkey is aiming to become a full dialogue partner of ASEAN this year, especially as the regional bloc is under the chairship of the Philippines.
“As ASEAN Chair for 2026, we welcome this opportunity to connect Türkiye not only with the Philippines but with the Southeast Asian region as a whole,” said Philippine Ambassador-designate to Turkey Jaime Ramon Ascalon.
“With a population of over 650 million and a fast-growing middle class, ASEAN is one of the world's most dynamic regions. The Philippines is more than welcome to assist with any business missions to our region to drive investment, improve supply chains, and expand market access,” he added.
Both the Philippines and Turkey are hoping to further strengthen their trade ties through the resumption of the Philippines-Türkiye Joint Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation (JCETC), which was first convened in 2018. (Dexter Barro II)