By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – The Philippines serves as a “premier strategic gateway” for Latin American firms that are looking to expand into Southeast Asia’s USD4 trillion market, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said.
In separate foreign policy speeches during her official visit to Brazil and Chile from Aug. 10 to 13, the Filipino diplomat highlighted Manila, Santiago, and Brasilia’s growing cooperation, similarities, and strong people-to-people ties.
“Formal agreements open doors, but people and businesses sustain resilient economies. Our shared history, faith, and cultural affinities form a natural foundation for academic exchanges, tourism, and talent mobility between our regions,” she said in her remarks in Chile.
“Upon this human foundation, commercial bridges thrive: the Philippines stands as the premier strategic gateway for Latin American firms expanding into ASEAN’s USD4 trillion market.”
She noted that major Philippine multinationals already operate in Latin America, such as International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), which manages critical port terminals across the region.
Expanding these logistics ties, she said, will establish direct trans-Pacific shipping routes that will reduce costs and insulate supply chains against global shocks.
“The Pacific Ocean does not separate us – it links our destinies. In an uncertain world, building this trans-Pacific bridge is an existential imperative – a partnership of equals that ensures our nations remain secure, resilient, and sovereign,” she said.
Latin America represents a USD7 trillion economy, but Lazaro said it accounts for less than 2 percent of Philippine trade.
Under the Marcos administration, the Filipino top diplomat said Manila looks to secure investments in renewable energy, critical minerals, and mining technology, while expanding cooperation on agri-tech and food security with both countries.
“In return, the Philippines offers a high-value industrial partner in semiconductors, electronics, processed foods, and global services,” she said.
She also pitched a “broader maritime agenda” with Chile and a deeper defense partnership with Brazil to cover maritime domain awareness, ocean governance, disaster resilience, and combat illegal fishing.
During her Latin America trip last week, Lazaro met with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Chilean President José Antonio Kast Rist.
In these meetings, she formally conveyed Manila’s intention to expand its cooperation with both states on a broad range of areas, including trade, science and technology, and education. (PNA)
