Pakistan gained independence on August 14, 1947, just 11 months after sovereign powers were transferred to the newly restored independent Republic of the Philippines on July 4, 1946.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on September 8, 1949, and the Philippines Consulate was opened in Karachi.
Since then Pakistan and the Philippines have enjoyed very close and cordial relations. There exists commonality of views on various regional and international issues, which has led to close cooperation in the regional and international forums. This year marks the 67th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and the Republic of the Philippines. During this period the bilateral relations between the two countries have flourished in diverse fields.
Even before the establishment of diplomatic relations, our bilateral cooperation had already begun. Hence, on July 16, 1949, the two countries signed an air-service agreement. To cement friendly relations, the two countries, on January 3, 1951, ratified a treaty of friendship in Washington, D.C., signed on behalf of their governments by their ambassadors to the US. The treaty inter alia ensured “perpetual peace and everlasting unity between the two countries and their people.”
In 1954 both the countries joined the US, the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand in setting up the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (Seato). The treaty was signed on September 8, 1954 in Manila, and became operative in February 1955.
Seato signified a pledge by the signatories to provide mutual aid in case of armed attack or subversion. It provided the two countries significant assurances that they have friends on their side and brought the two countries closer.
Visits
There had been high-level exchanges between the two countries since the beginning.
In May 1957 Prime Minister Husseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy visited the Philippines. The visit led to the elevation of the Philippines legation in Karachi to an embassy.
Prime Minister Mohammad Khan Junejo in May 1988. Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto on February 17 and 18 in 1995. President Pervez Musharraf visited Manila from April 18 to 20 in 2005. From the Philippines, President Diosdado Macapagal paid a visit to Pakistan in July 1962. Incidentally, he was accompanied by teenager daughter Gloria, who eventually became president of the Philippines in 2001. President Fidel V. Ramos visited Pakistan in 1997. Apart from these there had been a number of visits at ministerial and working levels. The leaders of the two countries had also been meeting in international and regional forums.
Policy consultations
The Fourth Round of Policy Consultation Talk between Pakistan and the Philippines was held in Manila in January 2015. The two sides reviewed Pakistan-Philippines relations and expressed satisfaction at the continued growth of mutually beneficial cooperation in diverse fields, including trade, commerce and other spheres. Both sides reiterated their commitment to further intensify cooperation in the fields of culture, tourism, trade, education and science and technology, and promote people-to-people contacts. They also agreed on the need for greater interaction between the private sectors. The Fifth Round of Policy Consultation Talk is scheduled to be held in Islamabad during 2016.
Multilateral cooperation
The 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in its plenary meeting on December 3, 2015, adopted by consensus the resolution on “Promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace”, which was jointly tabled by Pakistan and the Philippines. A joint initiative of Pakistan and the Philippines, the resolution was first introduced in 2005 as a response to the then prevailing theory of “Clash of Civilization.” Both the countries also support each other’s candidatures at UN and other multilateral organizations on reciprocal basis.
Agreements
So far, 22 agreements and MOUs have been finalized between the two countries and many more are in the pipeline. These include trade agreement, cultural exchange agreement, agreement on avoidance of double taxation, agreement on promotion and protection of investment, cooperation agreement between the two chambers, agreement to establish a joint economic commission, so on and so forth. In short, the two countries have signed almost all the agreements that can help establish a very strong and progressive cooperation between the two countries.
Economic relations
The bilateral trade between Pakistan and the Philippines was $ 118.8 million during 2014. Pakistan’s exports to the Philippines were recorded at $69.6 million, while the Philippines’ exports to Pakistan amounting to US $49.2 million. Our trade with Philippines has registered increase over the previous year.
Major items of exports from Pakistan: Textiles, rice, pharmaceutical products, leather hides, fruits, sport goods and surgical instruments. The items of exports from the Philippines: Automotive parts, paper products, food preparations, electronics and packaging materials.
However, given the size and strengths of the two economies our bilateral trade is much below our potential. There is a need to enhance and diversify our exports to the Philippines. This embassy is endeavoring to improve our bilateral trade particularly in the sectors of textiles, pharmaceutical, surgical, cutlery, rice, seafood, automotive parts and fruits.
In this regard a trade delegation from Pakistan visited the Philippines in August 2014 and held useful discussion with the Philippines Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other private businessmen. An invitation has been extended to PCC&I to undertake a visit to Pakistan. Regular exchanges between the two sides will help enhance our bilateral trade.
A 15-member Rice Exporters of Pakistan trade mission visited Manila from 9 to 11 April 2015. The delegation comprised leading Pakistani businessmen and entrepreneurs involved in export of rice. Both countries are also working on a draft MoU on export of rice on G2G basis.
The embassy is also working on the initiative for opening of direct flights between Manila and Karachi to facilitate travel of tourists and businessmen between the two countries.
There is very minimal investment from two sides. Pakistan offers very lucrative terms for foreign investments in almost all the sectors. These include power and energy, agriculture, mining and gems, infrastructure, construction, information technology and telecom, textiles and automotive, etc.
Foreign investors are allowed repatriation of 100-percent profit, capital and dividends. One hundred-percent foreign equity is allowed both in the manufacturing and nonmanufacturing sectors. Tax relief is extended to foreign investors.
There is a small, but energetic, Pakistani community resident in the Philippines, not exceeding 1,500. These include professionals, businessmen and students. A considerable number of them are working in Asian Development Bank. Likewise, there are about 3,000 Filipinos mostly working for international organizations in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and other major cities of Pakistan. Both the communities act as a bridge between the two countries and are a contributing factor toward further strengthening their bilateral relations.