According to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, the 12 investment deals that will be inked by Japanese and Filipino business organizations during the official visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to Japan will create approximately 200,000 jobs in the next two years.
In a text message Tuesday, Lopez told Manila-based reporters that the commitments from Japanese companies will be in the sectors of automotive, vehicle parts, electric vehicles, shipbuilding and ship repair, biomass fuel, renewable energy, solar and energy management system, optical image stabilizers, and agriculture.
“(We’re) bullish in further strengthening trade and investments from Japan,” he said.
“Japan is our largest trading partner with over USD18 billion of total trade. We export more than we import and we have USD6.0 billion trade surplus, which is a big help to our economy.”
The trade secretary is joining President Duterte in his official trip to Japan until Thursday.
Lopez had before focused on the admin’s push to revive association and partnership with Asian neighbors.
