Irish minister visits Philippines

Irish Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin is arriving here Monday to hold high-level meetings with the Philippine government and lead an Irish trade mission to the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Howlin is the first senior minister of the Irish government to visit the Philippines. He will be meeting with his Philippine counterpart, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, and officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs. "I am looking forward to meeting with members of the Philippine government. I believe that we share many of the same objectives-- securing economic growth but a growth that is inclusive and benefits the people in a sustainable way," said Howlin. The visit comes at a time when Ireland holds the presidency of the European Union. It also coincides with the period of strong growth in trade and investment between the EU and the Philippines. The EU is largest investment partner of the Philippines, with 30 percent of foreign direct investment in the country coming from the EU. In Ireland alone, there are over 12,000 Filipino workers in its health care sector. On Wednesday morning, Howlin will deliver a public lecture for think tanks, government agencies and the media on Ireland's economic recovery and the wider eurozone economy.