31 March 2015 - The Philippine Embassy in The Hague and the office of the Philippine Honorary Consul General in Rotterdam organized a seminar on The Philippine Economy and Developments in the Transport Sector of the Philippines on March 12 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

At the seminar, Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands Jaime Victor B. Ledda gave a presentation on the “Philippine economy and prospects for Philippine-Netherlands economic relations”  to over 60 participants from Dutch government agencies, shipping companies, Dutch business community and the Filipino community.

Dutch investment and transport experts also gave presentations on business and investment prospects in the Philippines, particularly on steps to develop an integrated domestic and international transport and logistics network. They included Mr. Evert van Leeuwen, Manager of Merchant Marine STC B.V.; Mr. Renè Meeuws, Partner at STC NESTRA B.V.; and Mr. Peter Kors, Project Advisor of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Mr. Kors discussed possibilities for international funding and business cooperation with a focus on the Philippines.

The seminar also emphasized the developments in Philippines-Netherlands maritime cooperation, especially in the field of training and education opportunities for seafarers.

The new Philippine Honorary Consul General in Rotterdam, Mr. Albert Bos, likewise delivered remarks on why the Philippines is a good business and maritime partner citing the importance of transport and its key role in the Philippine economy. He stressed the availability of a wide talent pool in the Philippines.

At the end of the seminar, Ambassador Ledda and Honorary Consul General Bos led the symbolic inauguration of the Office of the Honorary Consul General in Rotterdam.  END