Vast Investment Opportunities in PH Highlighted at Hague Business Forum
Top left photo: Philippine Ambassador to The Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya. Top right photo: DTI Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo. (The Hague PE photos)
THE HAGUE, 27 December 2022 – The Netherlands is optimistic about strengthened relations with the Philippines. “It is clear that there has never been a better time for the Philippines and the Netherlands to strengthen ties,” said Deputy Director General for International Economic Relations Peter Potman of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a Philippine Business Forum held on 16 December 2022 at The Hague Conference Center. ”We can both look forward to exciting opportunities resulting from our increased cooperation in fields such as agrifood, digitalization and water management,” he added.
Attended by over 80 participants representing various companies and businesses, the Forum was organized by the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Philippine Embassy in The Hague, Philippine Trade and Investment Center Brussels, and the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI), in cooperation with the Philippines-Netherlands Business Council (PNBC).
DTI Undersecretary Ceferino “Perry” Rodolfo, the keynote speaker, cited economic sustainability and connectivity as the two pillars that will drive the future of bilateral economic relations. “Even if our countries are far from one another in terms of proximity, the Philippines and the Netherlands share the same aspirations -- a sustainable, resilient and inclusive economic growth through food security and development of green ecosystems.”
In his opening remarks, Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya noted that the forum serves as the reintroduction to the Netherlands of the Philippines and its robust economy under the new administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, especially as it comes right after the bilateral meeting between the President Marcos Jr and Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Brussels on December 14, where the two leaders committed their governments to expand engagements. The Ambassador echoed the message of President Marcos to European companies in Brussels: “We are ready to make it happen for you in the Philippines”.
Executive Director Evariste Cagatan of the BOI presented the country’s recent major economic reform legislations and highlighted opportunities in renewable energy, IT and software, infrastructure, among others. “PH is an ideal regional hub for sustainable and innovation-driven manufacturing and services, complementing Dutch technological expertise, particularly in green agriculture, infrastructure and renewable energy,” the Executive Director said.
The forum also featured testimonials on their companies’ experience in the Philippines, namely the East-West Seed represented by Ms. Maaike Groot, Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. by Mr. Bas Van Bemmelen, and Xinyx Design and Consultancy Services by Engineer Marie Grace Clementir.
The well-attended Forum was capped by a video message from Netherlands Ambassador to the Philippines Marielle Geraedts.
Prior to the Forum, one-on-one company meetings were conducted by Undersecretary Ceferino with Harvest Waste (an urban cleanup and energy company) and Blue Cap Hydro (manufacturer of innovative and integrated micro hydropower generators).
The Netherlands ranks among the country’s five top investor countries, and the number one among the 28 EU Member Countries. Some 150 Dutch companies are based in the Philippines, including ING Bank, Friesland Campina (joint venture partner of Alaska Milk Corp.) and Unilever. END
Bottom left photo: The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Deputy Director General Peter Potman. Bottom right photo: BOI Executive Director Evariste Cagatan. (The Hague PE photos)
Left photo: Netherlands Ambassador to the Philippines Marielle Geraedts. Right photo: Mr. Matthijs van der Lely and Trade Attaché Magnolia Misolas-Ashley. (The Hague PE photos)
Representatives from the East-West Seed, Xinyx Consultancy and Design Services and Royal Boskalis. (The Hague PE photos)
One-on-one company meetings. (The Hague PE photos)
For more information, visit https://www.thehaguepe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinTheNetherlands/.