By NNN-Bernama
New Delhi : After praising India’s success story, Philippines president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo urged the south Asian nation, which now has the world’s fourth largest economy, to take notice and care for its developing neighbors in the region.
Arroyo, who is on a three-day visit to India, said the Philippines was bullish over India’s economic progress which was growing at about nine percent annually, but in parallel India should also use its economic might to play an important and strategic role in the region.
“There are political, economic and strategic implications for India and the East Asian region as a result of your new-found economic power. As India becomes a true political and economic giant, your obligations to your neighbours also increase, separate from that to your own citizens.
“These are big responsibilities, which we hope will be accommodated in our bilateral relations with each other,” the visiting president said at a business forum hosted by the Indian business community.
Arroyo is the second Philippines president to visit India after a 10-year gap. Fidel Ramos’ visit was in 1997.
The Philippines, a founding member of Asean, is also seeking a closer relationship with the grouping’s dialogue partner in fields ranging from economy, defence to healthcare — which Arroyo believed was crucial for her country’s economy, which had reached a new level of maturity and stability.
“We cannot highlight enough the great strides that India has accomplished in recent years. Your impressive growth, largely fueled by a knowledge economy, is unique and worthy of emulation,” said Arroyo, who herself is an economist.
The Philippines president impressed the Indian audience, largely attended by top businessmen, with her captivating speech and she even wooed Indian film-makers to produce movies in the archipelago.
“We believe the Philippines offers the best value for Indian investment today. We offer a strategic location in a fast-growing region, our workforce is well educated, productive and English speaking.
“This is an advantage also as a film location site for the Indian movie industry. The Philippines is not only advantageous but a premier choice for film shooting because of its white sandy beaches, enigmatic and mysterious rainforests, historical heritage sites and sand dunes,” she said, adding that famous Indian film-producer Aditya Raj Kapoor had decided to produce a movie in her country.