PH Embassy in Canberra Promotes Industry, Innovation, and Sustainable Mining Cooperation with Western Australia

Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen De La Vega urges the business community in Australia to seize opportunities for growth and investment in the Philippines at an innovation and industry mixer hosted in Perth by the Philippine Embassy. (Photo courtesy of APBC)

PERTH, 31 March 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Canberra, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Tourism and the Australia Philippines Business Council (APBC), organized an Economic Spotlight mixer showcasing positive trends in innovation and industry in the Philippines on 28 March 2023 in Perth, WA. The event featured presentations of Department of Science and Technology Secretary (DOST) Renato Solidum Jr. and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna.

Ambassador De La Vega highlighted in her keynote address that despite the rising inflation, the Philippines posted its highest GDP growth in 46 years at 7.6% and exceeded its foreign direct investment targets in 2022, cementing itself as a viable and ideal destination for foreign investment. She emphasized that the strategic location of the country allows businesses access to the ASEAN, US and EU markets and is at the crossroads of major international shipping and airlines.

DOST Secretary Solidum presented Philippine opportunities on science, technology, and innovation (STI). He cited the 2023 Technology and Innovation report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development wherein the Philippines ranked second, next to India, as the top overperforming country on frontier technologies readiness index. The Secretary gave updates on key initiatives of the government to foster an enabling environment to support the development of STI, including healthcare innovations and telemedicine, support for startups, and investment in human capital such as the Balik Scientist Program, DOST scholarship programs and other efforts to enhance digital workforce.

DENR Undersecretary Cuna discussed the mining landscape in the Philippines and the country’s commitment to ensuring a resilient, dynamic, and sustainable and responsive mining industry which can support the goals of the country’s development plan. He stated that the Philippines is one of the most mineralized countries in the world with high mineral potentials, but only 2.42% of the known highly mineralized zones are under development. Globally, the Philippines ranks third in gold, fourth in copper, fifth in nickel and sixth in chromite deposits.

Ambassador De La Vega stated that with the infrastructure developments in the country and game-changing reforms enacted to further open its economy, the Philippines is positioning itself in the region as a manufacturing, innovation, research and development, and investment hub and a center of training and education. She invited the business community to seize opportunities to invest in the Philippines.

Australian Ambassador to Manila HK Yu noted that the Philippine priority sectors put forward by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., namely sustainable mining, renewable energy, food security, digitalization, and research and education align closely with Australia’s areas of expertise. She reaffirmed Australia’s readiness to continue collaboration in these areas towards mutually beneficial and tangible outcomes.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Mae Elaine Bathan and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director General Manuel Antonio Tamayo were also in attendance along with Philippine Airlines executives led by President and COO Captain Stanley Ng and business mining delegates from the Philippines led by former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Delia Domingo-Albert.

Australia is a major trade and investment partner of the Philippines. Currently, there are over 200 Australian companies in the Philippines employing over 41,000 Filipinos in BPO, infrastructure, banking, telecommunications, energy, and education sectors. 

Furthermore, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna and business mining delegates from the Philippines engaged WA government officials and industry on developments in the mining landscape in the country and presented opportunities for collaboration during a visit to Perth on 27-30 March 2023.

In his briefings, Undersecretary Cuna provided the latest updates on the Philippines’ mining policies and regulations including the lifting of the moratorium on new mining agreements and the ban on open-pit mining. The Undersecretary emphasized the commitment of the Philippine government to support the mining industry given its significant potential to be a key driver for economic recovery and long-term growth. The Philippines is one of the most mineralized countries in the world ranking third in gold, fourth in copper, fifth in nickel and sixth in chromite deposits. Only 2.42% of the country’s known highly mineralized zones are under development and it is important for the Philippines to sustainably develop these resources.

The Undersecretary explored opportunities for capacity building, including mine rehabilitation and land restoration with the ARC Training Centre for Healing Country and met companies involved in mining equipment and technology services (METS). During a visit to the mining town of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, the WA School of Mines hosted briefings by their faculty, local officials of Kalgoorlie and mining companies to highlight best practices in effective partnerships of government, business and academe in securing community benefits from sustainable mining.

Undersecretary Cuna stated that the Philippine government is working hand in hand with relevant stakeholders to continuously improve mining and strengthen investor relations in the development of the minerals sector. Australia is a global leader in the resources industry with strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. Australian mining and METS companies have established presence in the Philippines. END

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. presents Philippine opportunities on science, technology, and innovation. (Photo courtesy of APBC)

DENR Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna discusses the mining landscape in the Philippines and the commitment to ensuring a resilient, dynamic, and sustainable and responsive mining industry. (Photo courtesy of APBC)

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. HK Yu reaffirms Australia’s commitment to enhance bilateral relations with the Philippines for regional security and shared prosperity. (Photo courtesy of APBC)

Ambassador Ma. Hellen De La Vega (center) together with DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. (2nd from right), DENR Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna (leftmost), DOT Undersecretary Mae Elaine Bathan (2nd from left) and APBC Vice-President Louisa Cotter (rightmost). (Photo courtesy of APBC)

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna briefs officials of the Western Australia Department of Mines, Industry and Safety on the mining landscape in the Philippines. (Canberra PE photo)

DENR Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna (center), Australian Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. HK Yu (2nd from left) , Austrade Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner Chris Lim, met Curtin University Dean International of the Faculty of Science and Engineering Professor Sambit Datta (second from right) and ARC Training Centre Deputy Director Andrew Knight (leftmost) on capacity building opportunities. (Canberra PE photo)

DENR Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna addresses the representatives of the Australian mining equipment and technology services (METS) and Australian mining companies on the Philippine initiatives in mining technology. (Canberra PE photo)

DENR Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna (back row, 2nd from left), Ambassador HK Yu (back row, 5th from left), former Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Delia Domingo-Albert (front row, 3rd from left) together with Philippine mining business executives at the Western Australia Department of Mines, Industry and Safety. (Canberra PE photo)

DENR Undersecretary Cuna (2nd from right), Philippine Ambassador to Australia H.E. Ma. Hellen De La Vega (3rd from right), Secretary of Science and Technology Renato O. Solidum Jr. (4th from right), Australian Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. HK Yu (3rd from left) engage local officials of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, a mining town in WA. (Canberra PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.philembassy.org.au, or https://www.facebook.com/PHinAustralia/.