Negotiations between the EU and the Philippines on a possible trade agreement resumed in October, after being suspended in 2017. Such an agreement could benefit businesses by reducing or eliminating reciprocal import tariffs on many products and services and removing trade barriers.
Dutch interests during these negotiations in Brussels are represented by he Directorate for International Market Organisation and Trade Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The input of the private sector is crucial. The ministry, therefore, invites businesses and civil society to share their wishes, opportunities and concerns regarding a possible agreement with the Philippines. These could include opportunities in digitalisation, or bottlenecks such as import restrictions, excessive documentation requirements, unnecessary trade restrictions on labelling, or discrimination in government procurement.
To provide your input, please send your contribution to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at handelsbelemmeringen@minbuza.nl. This input will help the Ministry to properly identify Dutch interests and to better promote or defend them in Brussels. You can also contact the ministry regarding other questions about trade agreements or trade barriers.
The input received will be treated confidentially and will stay anonymous in contacts with the European Commission.
For more information about the EU’s trade relations with the Philippines, please see here.