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India and the Philippines are mulling the probability of having direct flights to Manila by December or “early next year”.
According to Maria Teresita C Daza, Ambassador of the Philippines in India, direct flight services will be explored between Delhi and Manila, and Mumbai and Manila, in the first phase.
Philippine Airlines will be the carrier.
The airline has also appointed Bird Travels Private Ltd, the airline management services arm of Bird Group, as its local representative in India. “By the last quarter of this year, or early next year, direct flights to Manila from Delhi and Mumbai may start. Discussions are being held in this regard,” she said, during a seminar organised by the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce.
Growing economy
According to Daza, Philippines will be one of the fastest growing emerging economies in the next two years in South-East Asia. Sectors such as BPO, financial services, trade, construction and so on were amongst the major ones driving growth. Focus is also being put on developing the nation as a manufacturing and agri-hub.
“Healthcare and pharma is a sector where we can look at to concretise our relations. India (has an advantage) of producing good quality generic drugs,” she said.
Bilateral trade
Bilateral trade (between India and the Philippines) stood at $1.981 billion in 2016-17. Of this, exports from India stood at $1.487 billion, while Indian imports were a mere $494 million.
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