MANILA, Feb. 15 -- The Philippines has signed two protocols agreeing to update two regional free trade agreements (FTAs) of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

In a statement Thursday, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Secretary Alfredo Pascual signed the Second Protocol to enhance the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA (AANZFTA) and the First Protocol to amend the ASEAN-Hong Kong FTA (AHKFTA) on Feb.14.

Envoys to the Philippines Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu and New Zealand Ambassador Peter Kell witnessed the signing for the AANZFTA and Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Jakarta Acting Director-General Allan Pang witnessed the signing for the AHKFTA at the DTI Office in Makati City.

"The finalization ...