President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo told businessmen attending the Philippine Quality Awards this morning in Malacanang that in today’s foreign trade, the best way to achieve competitiveness in the world market is through economic complementarities with trading partners.

Speaking at the 2002 Philippine Quality Awards at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacanang, the President stressed that it is most fitting that upon her arrival from a successful state visit to Japan, a technologically advanced neighbor, she will be meeting with the country’s businessmen who are involved in raising the quality of Philippine products.

The President said she is optimistic that her state visit to Japan will open more avenues for quality Filipino products, especially in the advent of a Philippine-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement.

"An ideal economic partnership agreement must take into consideration maximized complementarities between the two countries forging such agreement," the President said.

The President explained the essence of complementarity by showcasing how Japan, with its advance technology, and the Philippines, with its quality human resources, can work together to achieve greater heights of economic partnership.

She said Japan would provide the technology and extensive capital while the Philippines would provide the much-needed skilled and knowledgeable human resources which Filipinos are known for in many parts of the globe.

Complementarity, the President said, must also look into democratic realities like Japan’s aging population and the Philippines’ young and highly-skilled population, particularly in the field of health care. She said the Philippines could be a source for Japan’s health caregivers.

Be assured that economic partnerships like the one the Philippines and Japan are working out will always be consistent with the welfare of our people, the President said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today gave Filipino businessmen a pat on the back for their unrelenting efforts to make Philippine products competitive in the world market and giving due recognition to companies that excel in quality performance.

In ceremonies held at Malacanang this morning, the President congratulated PSi Technologies and ON Semiconductor for winning this year’s Philippine Quality Awards (PQA).

The PQA is the country’s counterpart to the prestigious Baldrige Award in the United States. Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel A. Roxas II is this year’s Award Manager.

The President, assisted by Budget and Management Secretary Emilia Boncodin and Acting Trade and Industry Secretary Adrian Cristobal, Jr., handed out trophies and medals to officials of the two firms.

The award for PSi Technologies was received by its chief executive officer, Arthur J. Young, while the award for ON Semiconductor was received by Ronnie Manubay.

During her keynote address, the President cited the success of the "e-Services Philippines: Information Technology Exhibition and Interactive Business Investment Seminar," sponsored by the Japan External Trade Organization during her state visit to Japan from December 2-5.

The President said the country’s dedication to quality is paying off as shown by the overflowing crowd that attended the exhibit. She said at least 200 Japanese companies joined the exhibit.

To show you how overwhelming is the Japanese businessmen’s interest in the exhibit, Filipino participants had to vacate their seats and offer them to the Japanese, the President said.

The President, at the same time, thanked the Senate, particularly Senator Juan Flavier, for enhancing the Nursing Board and increasing its membership.

She said this is government’s part in seeing to it that the country produces quality health workers, especially caregivers.

The President noted that 40 new nursing schools have opened in response to the overwhelming need for health caregivers abroad.