MANILA, Feb. 22 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sees great potential in strengthening the economic and trade ties between the State of Hawaii and the Philippines through the Filipino trade mission from Hawaii.

Marcos made the remark during the courtesy call of the members of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Honolulu and Honolulu City Council Trade mission at the Malacanan Palace on Thursday.

"I think there is a great deal of potential there (trade missions). There are so many similarities in terms of what are needed and what needs to be done in terms of the state of Hawaii and the Philippines, and in specific areas of the Philippines," Marcos said.

The President said his administration has done everything necessary to encourage...