MANILA, April 4 -- Czech President Vaclav Havel arrived Tuesday for an official four-day state visit in the Philippines aimed at expanding bilateral trade between the two countries. Havel arrived with his wife on a flight from Australia.
He is currently on a foreign policy tour that includes stops in New Zealand and Singapore. Trade relations between the Philippines and the Czech Republic have been improving for the past two years with trade volumes amounting to $4.7 million in 1994. The Czech Republic imports textiles, garments and fashion accessories, and fruits and vegetables from the Philippines. Havel and his delegation were met by Philippine Vice President Joseph Estrada at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. They will be officially welcomed by the government Wednesday when they pay a courtesy call to Philippine President Fidel Ramos.
