VIETIANE, LAOS-Deepening economic cooperation became the focus of President Ferdinand Marcos’ bilateral talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
The meeting was held on the first day of Marcos’ four-day trip in Laos to participate in 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) Summits and related summits in Laos.
“The two leaders focused on deepening economic cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade and agriculture, and expressed their shared commitment to celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Philippines-Vietnam Strategic Partnership in 2025 by advancing collaboration in key sectors,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a social media post on Tuesday.
Marcos said he said he is looking at further enhancing their bilateral partnership with Vietnam.
“We have made a good deal of progress since our very first discussion and some of the engagements between our two countries. And I am very happy that we will be able to pursue that,” President Marcos said.
Vietnam is among top rice suppliers of the Philippines.
Imports from Vietnam are expected to further increase under a new five-year rice supply agreement, which was signed last Tuesday, where the country will be able to import 1.5 million to 2 million metric tons (MT) per year of Vietnamese rice.
Last January, Marcos said the government is targeting to expand bilateral trade with Vietnam from US$7 billion to US$10 billion.
There is also an ongoing efforts by Philippines and Vietnam to strengthen their military parnetship, which was announced last August.
Aside from stronger enhanced partnerships, President Marcos also “extended his heartfelt condolences for the losses caused by Typhoon Yagi and the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.”
