By Catherine N. Pillas
By Elijah Felice E. Rosales
President Duterte is scheduled to depart for Moscow on Monday for a four-day official visit to Russia, where he is expected to discuss matters on defense and trade with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
In a recent Malacañang news briefing, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Cleofe R. Natividad said several bilateral agreements are expected to be signed during the trip, particularly on defense, security, legal assistance, trade and investment, and peaceful use of nuclear energy and culture.
Aside from this, Natividad said the administration is looking into the possibility of purchasing high-caliber arms from Russia.
“There is really nothing that would stop Russia from participating in the modernization program of the [Armed Forces of the Philippines],” Natividad stressed.
Apart from defense, Duterte will also present trade and investment opportunities in the Philippines under the “Build, Build, Build” scheme. Headed by trade executives, a business delegation is listed to join the Philippines-Russia Business Forum in Moscow.
“The forum would be an opportune time to share with Russian companies the benefits of doing business in our country and the very positive investment climate, especially in areas of infrastructure, energy, transportation, tourism and others,” Natividad said.
She said bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to only $226 million in 2016, with the Philippines exporting only $49 million worth of goods to Russia. She added Russian tourist arrivals was at around 38,000 only—a number way below compared to Southeast Asian neighbors.
Pressing on the administration’s so-called independent foreign policy, Natividad described Duterte’s visit to Russia as an indication of his commitment to establish new partnerships and bolster relations with nontraditional partners. She added the trip is considered to be “landmark” by the Department of Foreign Affairs, as bilateral relations between the Philippines and Russia was dormant in the past four decades.
“In spite of this almost 41 years [of diplomatic ties], our bilateral engagement is still at nascent stage in practically all areas of cooperation,” Natividad said.
The President first talked with Putin and Medvedev during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum last November in Peru, where Putin extended his invitation to Duterte to come over to Russia.
Like Chinese President Xi Jinping, Putin supports the administration’s crackdown on illegal drugs, evident by the fact that a Russian Office of Defense Attaché will soon be opened in Manila.
Natividad said this is in tune with the Philippines and Russia’s commitment to combat terrorism, violent extremism, human trafficking and illegal drugs.
‘Dutertenomics’
Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said the government will make a pitch for “Dutertenomics” to Russian officials and businessmen during the President’s visit.
“Our main task really is, for them to increase their awareness of the Philippines, so we’ll present business and investments, and present Dutertenomics for example,” Lopez said.
He said he will be signing two memoranda of understanding on industry cooperation and trade and investment to bolster ties between Russia and the Philippines.
While the Philippines-Russia Joint Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation (JCTEC) was formed during former President Benigno S. Aquino III’s term, it had its first meeting only this year. This, after the Duterte administration has expressed interest in forging ties with Russia. The JCTEC is the primary bilateral mechanism for both sides to discuss ways to enhance trade, investments and economic cooperation.
Earlier, economists have questioned the wisdom of establishing cooperation with Russian Federation. They noted that investment inflows from Russia have been “paltry” and that the country’s biggest trading partner is still Asean.