Ramos to visit Brunei in August

Ramos to visit Brunei in August

MANILA (AFP): Philippine President Fidel Ramos will visit Brunei from Aug. 6 to 8 for wide ranging talks with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said here yesterday.

Among the issues to be discussed are emerging trade blocs like the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the East Asia Economic Caucus (EAEC), the East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA) and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT.)

Ramos will also work to attract more investment to the Philippines and will also discuss regional security as well as bilateral defense cooperation between the two countries, the department said.

The two countries had a total trade of $53.08 million last year with Brunei exporting $50.72 million of petroleum products and other goods, to the Philippines.