MANILA – The country’s top banana growers and exporters are calling on South Korean and Philippine governments to resolve stalemate on the proposed reduction of tariff rates on banana shipments.
The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association Inc. (PBGEA) urged Manila and Seoul to work on the speedy end to the issue of very high import tariffs imposed on Philippine bananas.
The negotiations between the Philippines and Korea have been on a stalemate as Korea insists on greater market access for its automotive exports to the Philippines in exchange for a lower if not zero tariffs for Philippine bananas.
“The negotiations have only started in the second quarter while the tariff rates for our competitors have been getting more and more favorable to our disadvantage,” Stephen Antig, executive director of PBGEA, said in a statement on Sunday.
President Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit and other side events in Busan, South Korea on Nov. 25 to 26.
South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-man earlier said at least four cooperation agreements in the fields of social security, education, fisheries, and tourism will be signed after the two leader’s bilateral meeting.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant secretary for ASEAN Office Affairs Junever Mahilum-West, however, said the signing of agreements between Manila and Seoul is still under negotiation.
PBGEA said they hope Duterte will raise the issue on banana import tariffs with South Korea President Moon Jae-In in the bilateral talks, along with other concerns on the proposed free trade agreement between the two countries.(PNA)
