High-Level Engagements with AU Continue as Minister of Trade Don Farrell Visits PH

PASAY CITY, 19 April 2023 – The Philippines is set to welcome Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell, who will be in the country on a working visit from 20 to 25 April 2023, following his travel to Vietnam. He is scheduled to meet with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, and Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno, where he will discuss issues of mutual concern, particularly both countries’ interest in stronger bilateral ties in the sphere of trade and investments. 

Minister Farrell’s visit is the third visit to the Philippines by a high ranking official of the Australian government in 2023, following the official visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles on 21-23 February 2023 and the working visit of Special Envoy for Southeast Asia Nicholas Moore on 22-27 March 2023.  Deputy Prime Minister Marles met with President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte, and Department of National Defense (DND) Senior Undersecretary and Officer-in-Charge Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., while Special Envoy Moore met with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Secretary of Trade and Industry Alfredo Pascual, and Secretary of Finance Benjamin Diokno. 

These visits reflect the strong bilateral relations between the Philippines and Australia, as the two countries work towards the elevation of their relations to a higher plane this year. 

The Philippines and Australia celebrate 77 years of friendship this year, highlighting deep and broad cooperation in a wide range of areas. END