Phl Ambassador Joins Delegation of PH MSMEs during Business Mission Information Session in Zurich, Switzerland

The participants of the Business Information Session listen to Ambassador Joselito A. Jimeno as he delivers his welcome remarks.

03 October 2017 ZURICH – Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland Joselito A. Jimeno, welcomed a business delegation from the Philippines during their Business Information Session held in Zurich, Switzerland on September 27.

The delegation was composed of representatives from micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines, which are into the production of banana chips, calamansi concentrates, pili nuts, herbal teas, and coconut products such as coconut, sugar, nectar syrup, and water, among others. The delegation also brought samples of their products with them, and visited major retails shops in Zurich to conduct market scanning on related products and their presentations.

During the Business Information Session, Amb. Joselito A. Jimeno briefed the delegation on the long and warm relations between the Philippines and Switzerland. He recognized the significant role played by SMEs in the development of the economy of the two countries.

The delegation was also briefed by the Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce and its Philippine Committee (SACC) on its mission, activities and memberships; Pricewaterhouse Cooper (PwC) on the Swiss market and doing business in Europe; Roniger & Partner on issues of compliance and certificates in Switzerland and Europe; and Sidely Austin, LLP on the free legal support it provides under the law firm’s Emerging Enterprises Pro Bono Program. Officers of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Philippine International Trade Center (PITC) based in Geneva also briefed the delegation on the Swiss and European markets, and trade statistics and trade relations between the Philippines and Switzerland.

Ms. Cattleya Romero-Faude of Sagana Coconut Sweeter, a start-up business in Switzerland, also exchanged views with the delegation on her insights and experiences in entering the Swiss market.

From Switzerland, the delegation will go to Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Germany where they will participate in the Anuga exhibition. The outbound business mission was spearheaded by the DTI’s Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) in coordination with PITC in Geneva. END

For more information, visit www.bernepe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSwitzerland.

Ambassador Jimeno (center) joins the guest speakers and the Philippine business delegation in this photo.