PH Infrastructure, Renewable Energy, and Agriculture Companies hold Investment Roadshow, Search for Business Partners in Catalonia
Philippine and Spanish companies, with Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro and Dr. Bernardo Villegas, during the roadshow at IESE Barcelona.
BARCELONA, 03 May 2023 – The 2023 Philippine Investment Roadshow to Spain, which focused on infrastructure, agri-food, human resources, energy and renewable energy, was successfully held on 24 April 2023, at IESE Barcelona. More than 30 businessmen and MBA students attended the event, which was aimed at promoting business matching and networking, and finding more opportunities for investment and trade between the Philippines and Catalonia.
Philippine Consul General to Barcelona Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro gave an introduction which highlighted reasons that make the Philippines an attractive investment destination, as well as the recent changes in legislation that make the country more attractive to investors.
“We hope that through this event, we are able to establish stronger partnerships with businesses here, and promote greater trade and investment opportunities between the Philippines and Catalonia," said Consul General Lazaro.
Dr. Bernardo Villegas, who was instrumental in organizing the event with the University of Asia and the Pacific and IESE, provided a candid view on the history and future prospects of the Philippine economy, citing factors that make it resilient and why it continues to be on the rise despite political issues.
Other speakers of the event included: Guido Alfredo Delgado, Chairman of GAA, who discussed the Philippine energy scenario; Quintin Pastrana from WEnergy, who provided updates on the investment prospects for renewable energy; Cesar Averia of EDI Staffbuilders, who elaborated on why the Filipino workforce has achieved success abroad; and Christian Moeller of Lionheart Farms, who talked about large-scale agribusiness ventures in the Philippines.
The largest Philippine investor in Spain, Grupo Emperador, represented by Managing Director Jorge Domecq, also shared videos showing the company’s emblematic buildings in Madrid and Barcelona, and its vineyards in Jerez.
To conclude the event, Dr. Villegas shared articles and invited everyone to read “testimonials from leading think tanks from all over the world citing the Philippines as one of the most attractive countries to invest in in the next 10-20 years.”
The event brought together around 20 Spanish and Philippine companies from the infrastructure, renewable energy, human resources, and agro-food sectors. It provided a platform for the Philippine companies present to share their potential investment and partnership opportunities with Spanish investors, and offered a gateway for Spanish companies to explore the Philippine market. The discussions that followed the presentation also helped build a bridge of understanding and collaboration between Philippine and Catalan companies. END
Dr. Bernardo Villegas delivers his remarks at the 2023 Philippine Investment Roadshow in Barcelona (Photo by Greg Mabbagu)
Philippine Consul General to Barcelona Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro addresses the audience (Photo by Greg Mabbagu)
Consul General Lazaro with Grupo Emperador Managing Director Jorge Domecq during the networking part of the roadshow (Photo by Greg Mabbagu)
Spanish and Filipino companies come together to discuss investment opportunities and possible partnerships between the two countries (Photo by Greg Mabbagu)
Participants had an opportunity to ask questions following the presentations (Photo by Greg Mabbagu)
For more information, visit https://barcelonapcg.dfa.gov.ph/, or https://www.facebook.com/PHinBarcelona/.