APRIL 24, 2013 - The country’s campaign against transnational crime and smuggling among other customs and border security breaches recently got a big boost with the signing of the historic Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement between the Philippines and Russia.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima highlighted the increasing prominence of the Philippine economy in ASEAN at Standard Chartered’s Singapore Forum 2013 last March 20. Purisima was invited as a panelist during the panel discussion “Spotlight on ASEAN”, which was attended by executives from leading corporations and institutional investors throughout Southeast Asia.