Page 23 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL6

So far the Philippine government has adopted the K to 12 programme, beginning in school year 2012- 2013. The first batch of learners who will have completed the full K to 12 programme will graduate in 2024.The country has also embraced the 2011-2016 SME development plan to improve the business environ- ment for SMEs and enhance SME access to markets by involving them in trade fairs and exhibitions.There was a launch of the Industry Development Programme of the DTI-BOI in January 2012 to forge strategic partnerships with industry stakeholders, particularly the private sector for the crafting of sectoral road maps. The road maps will help the government identify critical supply chain gaps that will move industries up the value chain. The programme also promotes intensive communica-tion to raise awareness and knowledge of the AEC.As ambassador, what is your role in preparing for the AEC?I think that my role is two-fold. One is to be on the lookout for oppor- tunities for the Philippines and the Filipino people that the ASEAN Economic Community may bring in terms of trade and investment potential and employment prospects. In line with this role, the embassy regularly engages in so-called eco- nomic intelligence missions in the hope of finding leads or openings that could result in trade and investment deals and employment for our people.My other role is to be aware of, and make appropriate recommendations to the capital on, challenges that will come along with the AEC. We love to say that the AEC is all about coopera- tion, not competition. However, I thinkit is inevitable that in the early stages of the community there will be some birthing pains. As I in effect serve as my country’s eye to the outside world, particularly in Thailand, it is my role to quickly identify what these challenges are and suggest possible solutions.How do you see the future of Thailand and the Philippines to- gether in the AEC?I see a bright future for our coun- tries within the framework of the AEC. Because the AEC precisely seeks to integrate our economies by ultimately eliminating barriers to trade in goods and services among member countries, I think that we will be able to further increase our total trade volume through new areas of cooperation and comple- mentation.Elite+ 21