MANILA, Philippines –
The U.S. Embassy in Manila will host a top official from the United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) next week. Eric G. Postel, USAID’s
Assistant Administrator and Partnership for Growth (PFG) Coordinator, will visit
the Philippines on December 15-16 to reinforce the U.S. Government’s commitment
to the country’s growth.
Mr. Postel will meet with high-level Government of the Philippines (GPH)
officials and representatives from the business sector and civil society
organizations to review ongoing programs under the Partnership for Growth (PFG)
– a bilateral agreement with the Philippines to achieve broad-based, inclusive
and resilient growth.
The PFG provides a new framework for deepening and strengthening engagement
between the U.S. and the Philippines. The Philippines is one of only four PFG
countries globally where the U.S. Government has brought its 15 federal agencies
in a whole-of-government effort to advance economic development in the country.
Total PFG assistance to date is more than Php33.3 billion ($739 million).
Three years into the PFG, the Philippines has achieved significant progress
under the PFG Joint Country Action Plan. The country has had record high GDP
growth rates since 2011, including a 7.2 percent increase in 2013 that was
second only to China in the region; investment grade sovereign debt ratings from
international rating agencies which continue to increase; and a huge leap
forward of 33 places in competitiveness rankings from 2010-2014. In the latest
Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International, the Philippines
ranked 85th out of 175 countries surveyed, up 20 notches from 2012 and 9 notches
from 2013. President Aquino’s reforms have laid the basis for improved
governance and competitiveness.
Mr. Postel will also witness the signing of a Sisterhood Agreement between
the Cities of Batangas, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro. The three are the pilot
cities of USAID’s Cities Development Initiative (CDI). As part of PFG, CDI
seeks to advance the development of second-tier cities as engines of growth that
is inclusive and environmentally sustainable and resilient through mutual
responsibility and collaboration in the areas of economic growth and investment
promotion, health, education, and the environment.
Background:
Eric G. Postel began as USAID’s Assistant Administrator for the Bureau of
Economic Growth, Education and Environment in March 2011. In October 2014, he
was asked by the USAID Administrator to serve as the Assistant to the
Administrator for Africa. Mr. Postel brings to the position more than 25 years
of private sector experience working in emerging markets, especially those in
Africa.
Mr. Postel is working with the Africa Bureau to implement President Obama’s
development priorities in Africa. He is also focusing on increasing Agency
engagement with the private sector. Mr. Postel also serves as the Agency’s
coordinator for the government-wide Partnership for Growth program and the “Plus
1” (alternate director) to the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
About USAID
The United States Agency for International Development is the lead U.S.
Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient,
democratic societies to realize their potential. In the Philippines, USAID
partners with the national government to create a more stable, prosperous and
well-governed nation. For more information, visit
http://www.usaid.gov/philippines or email infoph@usaid.gov.