RP, Vanuatu to boost ties

RP, Vanuatu to boost ties

MANILA (AFP): Vanuatu Prime Minister Maxime Carlote Korman and Philippine President Fidel Ramos agreed yesterday to strengthen bilateral trade ties, the Filipino leader said after meeting his South Pacific counterpart.

At a luncheon held in honor of Korman, Ramos said opportunities existed "for joint-venture arrangements in fisheries and other industries."

Manila "would be most pleased to consider Vanuatu as a source of some of its requirements like timber," Ramos added.

He added that Manila "would be honored to assist Vanuatu in its training needs," through the Technical Cooperation Council of the Philippines.

Korman was in Manila to attend the Asia-Pacific Leaders Conference on Climate Change which ended yesterday.