Bilateral Relations of Bangladesh and the Philippines
The Philippines was among the first countries that recognized the war torn Bangladesh in February 1972. The Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman stopped over in Manila, in 1973, on his way back to Dhaka from Tokyo to express his gratitude to the friendly people of the Philippines for their spontaneous response in recognizing Bangladesh. Former President HM Ershad paid a state visit to the Philippines during 9-12 October 1989. Former President Fidel V. Ramos visited Bangladesh during 5-7 March 1997 and Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited the Republic of the Philippines the same year in September on the invitation of the Late President Corazon Aquino, mother of the Present President H.E. Benigno S. Aquino-III and since then the two became good friends. PM Hasina had again visited Manila in 2005 as personal guest of late President Corazon Aquino.
Bangladesh and the Philippines have left behind more than three decades of friendly bilateral diplomatic relations and have touched the milestone of the 32nd anniversary of diplomatic relations in January 2014. Bangladesh attaches great importance to its relations with the Philippines. The excellent bilateral relations between the two countries is steadily growing both in depth and dimension. Till date fourteen Agreements/MOUs have been signed between the two countries. The Agreements/MOUs signed by both countries are as follows:
SL. No Name of Treaty/Agreement/ Protocol/MOU etc. Date of Signing
01 Trade Agreement signed in Manila/Amended Trade Agreement 26 May, 1980/1997
02 Cultural Agreement signed in Manila 26 May, 1980
03 Agreement on Merchant Shipping signed in Manila 10 Oct, 1989
04 Agreement on Economic & Technical Cooperation signed in Manila 10 Oct. 1989
05 Agreement on cooperation between Chamber of Commerce & Industries between the two countries 15 Dec. 1989
06 Memorandum of Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation 18 February 1995
07 MOU for promotion & reciprocal Protection of investment signed in Manila 08 July 1997
08 Air Services Agreement signed in Manila 08 Sept. 1997
09 Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Preservation of Fiscal Evasion signed in Manila 08 Sept 1997
10. MOU between FBCCI of Bangladesh and PCCI of the Philippines 23 October 2008
11 Cultural Exchange Programme for 2012-2 017 13 May 2013
12 Agreement on Waiver of visa requirement for diplomatic/ official passport holders 06 March 2014
13 MOU on Sports Cooperation 05 November 2014
14 MOU on Foreign Policy Consultation 25 March 2015
Trade volume between Bangladesh and the Philippines is increasing in the recent years. However, trade relations between the two friendly countries can be more fruitful and faster by further cooperation and full implementation of the trade agreements signed in the past between the two countries. Volume of trade during 2011-2012 between Bangladesh and the Philippines is around US$ 50 million. Where import payments by Bangladesh amounting to US$ 41 million and export receipts is around US$ 9 million. Major exports from Bangladesh to the Philippines are fertilizers, tobacco, iron and steel, garments consumer products etc. The Philippines export mainly scrap metals, including waste steel and iron, instant noodles etc. Source:Bangladesh Bank
Private sector collaborations can play a pivotal role in augmenting bilateral trade between the two countries. More frequent exchange of visits between the business leaders of Bangladesh and the Philippines can pave the way for strengthening business relations in terms of volume of trade in the coming years. Filipino investors can invest in Bangladesh especially in textiles, jute and jute products, deep sea fishing and ICT sectors. Bangladesh has good number of talented hardworking, technologically proficient human resources and friendly environment for foreign investors.
Bangladesh has been emerging as a leading producer and exporter of pharmaceutical products in Asia. Our medicines are being exported to more than 70 countries all across the globe. The Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Expo, first of its kind by any country in the Philippines, was held in Manila in June 2010. Bangladesh can export pharmaceutical products to the Philippines, especially to the government hospitals and clinics at competitive prices, which can bring down the prices of medicines in the Filipino market. Initiative in this sector will significantly help the mass people in the Philippines in availing of better health care services.
Bangladesh immensely benefits from various training/educational programs under TESDA, IRRI, ADB and other NGO Forums in the Philippines. Bangladesh has a large pool of educated and easily trainable energetic workforce. The Philippines may consider recruiting engineers, IT-experts and specialists from Bangladesh.
The collaboration between the Armed Forces of Bangladesh and the Armed Forces of the Philippines is worth mentioning. A good number of members of Armed Forces from both countries have received training alternately in both countries. A Study tour to the Philippines by a 36-member NDC team from Bangladesh during 28 Oct -03 November, 2013 was another friendly gesture of military exchange program between the two countries.
Bangladesh and the Philippines share common perceptions and views on many issues at the UN and other international fora. Bangladesh will continue to work closely with the Philippines for peace, stability and economic development of the region and beyond. Bangladesh has always played a constructive role in addressing the issue in Mindanao in the Southern Philippines and will always support peaceful resolution of all armed conflicts in this area. Bangladesh supports the observer status of the Philippines in the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Bangladesh supports the peaceful settlement of west Philippines Sea (South China Sea) issues and hope that friendly environment exists in this region. Bangladesh is an active member of the ASEAN Regional Forum(ARF), and participates in its events with aim to contributing substantially in its forward movement. The Armed Forces of Bangladesh is involved in the disaster relief demonstrations of the ARF.
Bangladesh and the Philippines supported each other in different UN Agencies and International Organizations to their mutual advantages. To cite a few examples, Bangladesh supported:
Bangladesh's support:
a. Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) for the term 2011-2014.
b. Candidature of the Philippines for membership to the Human Rights Council for the term 2007-2010.
c. UNDP/UNFPA Executive Board for the term 2011-2013.
d. Candidature of the Philippines for a seat in International Criminal Court held on 12 December 2011 in Rome.
e. Candidature of the Philippines to the Commission on Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) for the term 2012-2017.
Philippines' support to BD candidature:
a. Bangladesh's candidature for membership of International Telecommunication Union(ITU) for the term 2010-2014.
b. Election to the IMO Council in Category" B" while Bangladesh supported candidature of the Philippines in Category "C" held in London in November'11.
d. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) for the term 2011-2014.
e. Candidature of Bangladesh to the Economic & Social Council for term 2014-2016 (election to be held in 2013).
Bangladesh and the Philippines stand beside each other during any natural disaster. During the recent Super Typhoon Yolanda(Haiyan) in November 2013 Bangladesh was one of the first countries who declared one million USD cash donation for the typhoon affected people of the central Philippines. Bangladesh also sent relief goods and medicines worth 165,000 USD for the typhoon victims. The Philippines also came forward with generous hands during natural disasters faced by peoples of Bangladesh in the past.