India's pharma expertise, trade beneficial to Asean

VIENTIANE — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said Asean could benefit from India's pharmaceutical expertise, recognizing the country's support for traditional and complementary medicine. "We also invite India to share its strengths as the world's pharmaceutical hub and to share expertise in providing affordable and quality medicines, including vaccine production and distribution within the region, and support the initiative on Asean Vaccine Security and Self-Reliance," Marcos said in his intervention during the 21st Asean-India Summit here. "Once again, the Philippines is honored to play a positive role in promoting Asean-India Dialogue Relations. We are confident that our shared values, which are the basis of our 75 years of vibrant bilateral relations, will benefit Asean-India relations for the betterment of our region and our peoples," the President added. Marcos said the Philippines supports the review of the Asean-India Trade in Goods Agreement (Aitiga) to make it more user-friendly for businesses, including micro, small and medium enterprises. "We hope that the review of the Aitiga will effectively lessen restrictions to trade and that India will continue to support its agreed provisions," he said. Aitiga was signed in 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand. Marcos expressed optimism on the Asean-India digital collaboration, as well as the Asean-India Year of Tourism in 2025. "As a vital part of our economic post-pandemic recovery, we also look forward to cooperation on tourism and to 2025 as the Asean-India Year of Tourism," Marcos said.