Indo-Philippines two-way trade at $520mln

New Delhi, May 18 (UNI) The bilateral trade between India and the Philippines has touched 520 million dollars in the current year from 250 million dollars a few years ago.

The direct investments pouring into the Philippines by India is from entrepreneurial business houses like the Birla group in areas covering textiles, steel and BPOs, Amabssador of the Philippines Ms Teresita V Berner said while addressing a conference here today.

Moreover, Indian software consultants, IT experts, finance and management analysts have conducted strategy and sales courses in the Philippines adding value to the country's intellectual content, she added.

Exports from the Philippines into India is currently at 119 million dollars and from India into the Philippines at 400 million dollars.

Ms Berner invited Indian business people to explore opportunities in the Philippines and identified areas of synergy as pharmaceuticals, equipment for irrigation and post-harvest processes in agriculture, among many others.

She said the Philippines government was working on improving air connectivity between Manila and New Delhi as well as on the issue of easy visas.

UNI