WTO reviews JPEPA

21 June 2010—The World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (CRTA) is considering the Japan – Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), according to its chair Ambassador Alfredo Suescum of Panama in Geneva last June 15.

The WTO General Council established the CRTA to examine individual regional trade agreement (RTAs).  The Transparency Mechanism for Regional Trade Agreements adopted on 14 December 2006 governs the process.

DTI Senior Undersecretary Thomas Aquino heads the Philippine delegation and is the lead negotiator for the JPEPA.  Officials from the National Economic Development Authority, Board of Investments, Bureau of International Trade Relations, Department of Agriculture, Tariff Commission, Department of Justice, and Bureau of Customs, as well as officers of the Philippine Mission to the WTO composed the Philippine Delegation.

Deputy Permanent Representative  Kuni Sato of the Japanese Mission to the WTO  heads the Japanese delegation. He said: “The conclusion of the EPA with a country like the Philippines, which is one of the core countries of ASEAN, would create a positive and demonstrative impact on other economies, particularly those in East Asia, and help further develop and enhance the comprehensive economic partnership within the region as a whole.”

Senior Undersecretary Aquino said that “Japan and the Philippines have a positive and forward-looking economic partnership, and that Japan is the Philippines’ largest trading partner within East Asia Region and has sustained its position as the Philippines second largest global trading partner.”

Aquino further stated that “the JPEPA underwent fine scrutiny from Members, which contributed to the better understanding of the Agreement’s objectives and specific provisions by WTO Members.” Japan and the Philippines both prepared the joint written replies as well as responded to questions from the floor.

The JPEPA was signed in Finland on 09 September 2006 and entered into force on 11 December 2008.

Aside from the JPEPA, the CRTA likewise considered the free trade agreement between Australia and Chile.