Philippine Delegation Marks 70 Years of PH-Mexico Diplomatic Relations
International Economic Relations Assistant Secretary Paul Vincent L. Uy (3rd from right) and Director General for Global Investments Margarita Alcantara Alcala (4th from right) of Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs pose with other officials after a productive meeting on various areas of economic cooperation.
MEXICO CITY 23 August 2023 – The 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Mexico has been marked by the visit of a Philippine delegation led by International Economic Relations Assistant Secretary Paul Vincent Uy to Mexico on 14-15 August 2023. The delegation engaged in a series of meetings and discussions with Mexico’s government officials and business leaders to deepen partnerships, promote trade and investments, and explore new areas for cooperation.
The delegation met with Director General for Global Investments Margarita Alcantara Alcala to exchange ideas for enhancing bilateral socio-economic relations between the Philippines and Mexico and promote greater cooperation in a diverse range of key issues such as trade and investments, agriculture, tourism, cultural cooperation, disaster risk and reduction management, academic cooperation, maritime, people-to-people exchanges, and space cooperation. Another meeting with Mexican officials discussed the convening of the upcoming 3rd meeting of the Philippines-Mexico Bilateral Consultative Mechanism.
In a meeting with Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Director General for UN and International Organizations Mauricio Torres Córdova, Assistant Secretary Uy highlighted the Philippines and Mexico’s close collaboration in the United Nations, especially on issues of mutual interests such as South-South cooperation.
In efforts to promote PH’s interests in trade and investments, Assistant Secretary Uy made separate presentations before the Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism (CONACO) - Mexico City and the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (COMCE) showcasing the Philippines’ robust economy, business-friendly regulatory environment, and strategic location making it an ideal destination for Mexican investors.
Mr. Stephane Michel, COMCE Chairman of the Mexico-ASEAN Committee, remarked that as “Mexican companies are curious about the Philippines,” he “welcomed the opportunity given to the Mexican businessmen to learn more about the country, including the prospects for trade and investments.”
On the other hand, Mr. Vicente Gutierrez, CONACO-Mexico City Vice President for Government Affairs, expressed his high regard to the Philippines and said that “nowadays, few countries could present such impressive economic figures showing the country’s stability.”
The delegation also met with officials from Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture led by Director for International Relations Fernando Valderráma Pesquera to discuss market access for products coming from both countries as well as possible cooperation in technological innovation for agricultural production and scientific cooperation on animal pests and plant diseases.
The DFA officials’ trip to Mexico is the third and final leg of their back-to-back working visits in selected Latin American countries which include Costa Rica and Panama. END
International Economic Relations Assistant Secretary Paul Vincent L. Uy (right) and Director General for UN and International Organizations Mauricio Torres Córdova of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (middle) had a meaningful discussion on both countries’ active participation and contribution to the United Nations, including on South-South Cooperation.
International Economic Relations Assistant Secretary Paul Vincent L. Uy (2nd from left) and Mr. José de Jesús Rodríguez Cárdenas, President of Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism (CONACO)—Mexico City (2nd from right) pose for a group photo after an engaging discussion on prospects for trade and investments in the Philippines and Mexico.
International Economic Relations Assistant Secretary Paul Vincent L. Uy presents to the members of the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (COMCE) the top reasons for Mexican companies to consider establishing their businesses in the Philippines.
International Economic Relations Assistant Secretary Uy presents a token of appreciation to Ministry of Agriculture’s Director for International Relations Fernando Valderráma Pesquera after their meeting which discussed market access issues of PH and MX agricultural products as well as possible bilateral cooperation on technological innovations.