ISLAMABAD, June 2: The Philippines will support Pakistan's move to become a member of Asean for increasing its share in the regional and international trade.

Speaking to a gathering at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) here on Wednesday, the foreign secretary of the Philippines, Ms Delia Domingo Albert said her government would support Pakistan in the next meeting of Asean ministers scheduled for June 30 for getting membership of the forum.

Ambassador of the Philippines to Pakistan Jorge V. Arizabal and a team of 10 senior officials from the Philippines were also present on the occasion. Ms Albert said the Philippines, being a founder member of Asean group, regarded Pakistan's membership to the association important for economic cooperation and security considerations of the South East and South Asian region.

She stated that the visit of the delegation to Pakistan was focussed on the importance of strengthening bilateral economic and trade relations. She invited the ICCI to send a delegation of Pakistani businessman and women entrepreneurs to the Philippines to explore the prospects for improving bilateral economic and trade relations between the two countries as well as the other countries in the Asean region.

The ICCI president, Zubair Ahmed Malik, gave a brief rundown on Pakistan's economy, trade and investment scenario and pointed out that Pakistan's efforts to stabilize its economy held great promise for the future of the country.