The country is now expected to get more economic assistance from Japan to help reach its goal of attaining upper middle-income status before the end of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio made the commitment to President Marcos during their meeting on the sidelines of the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York last Wednesday.
“PM Kishida reiterated Japan’s commitment to supporting the Philippines’s economic development to become an upper middle-income country,” Press Secretary Beatrix “Trixie” Cruz-Angeles said in a news statement.
During the meeting, she said the President talked about the priority sectors of his administration, namely, agriculture and food security, energy security, infrastructure development, and cyber security.
Aside from economic cooperation, she said both leaders also discussed regional security, particularly “in maritime security, maritime domain awareness, maritime law enforcement capacities and peace in Mindanao.”
“Both sides exchanged views on bilateral, regional, and international concerns,” Angeles said.
“The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to reinforce ties and strengthen cooperation in response to the challenges and opportunities in the regional security and economic landscape,” she added.
Fumio was among the state leaders, who called and congratulated Marcos after he won in the presidential elections.