LAST Sunday the BusinessMirror’s weekly Envoys & Expats section published a feature on Mexican Ambassador to the Philippines Julio Camarena, in which he described the historical ties that bind the Philippines and Mexico during and after the fabled 17th-century Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. Also in the feature, he not only called for the reinvigoration of cultural relations between the two countries, but also for the expansion of trade between them, saying it will give impetus to the development of the two economies.
We give an enthusiastic affirmative reply to the ambassador’s suggestion and, at the same time, express regret that we have allowed relations with Mexico and other Latin American countries, with which we have deep political bonds, to sink into benign neglect over time. That is a serious mistake, and we must rectify it.
The potential of trade as a stimulus to the growth of the two countries can easily be appreciated. In 2013 the comparative figures are as follows:
If we follow the World Bank’s classification, Mexico belongs to the upper tier of the middle-income countries of the world, while the Philippines is at the lower tier. In the two basic indicators of capacity to export and import, the two countries are mutually accommodating. Our exports constitute a minuscule portion of Mexico’s imports, suggesting that we can export “all we can” to Mexico, with the North American nation “easily” absorbing them. On the import side, we can increase imports from Mexico, with that country exporting these to us without the need for any adjustment.
To renew Philippines-Mexico relations in earnest, some diplomatic, business and cultural initiatives are needed. An exchange of views between embassy officials of the two countries must take place to clear the ground for expanded business relations and, then, at the business level, the exchange of business delegations from each nation to explore business opportunities in the other.
We must give the occasion a festive mood, and to do this we must exchange cultural delegations that will perform national songs and dances, among others. Recall how Mexican actress-singer Thalia became beloved by millions of Filipino viewers in the mid-1990s, when her soap opera Marimar was shown on television. Perhaps, Mexico can include Thalia in its delegation. For our part, we can include in our delegation Marian Rivera, who, we are confident, will also capture the affections of the Mexican people.
The expansion of trade relations with Mexico will greatly boost our economic development, as well as Mexico’s. It will also result in the resuscitation and enrichment of our cultural relations with friends from our colonial past. Let us get started on this historic thrust as soon as feasible.
Image credits: Jimbo Albano