AUTHENTICATIONLeading Russian Bridge Builder Eager to Invest in Ph
Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta (center) engages in a dynamic discussion on Philippine infrastructure projects and developing Mindanao with Transstroyproject’s General Director Mr. Dmitry Harlamov (second from left) and Mr. Sergey Polevikov (far left). The Transstroyproject executives were accompanied by consultant partner, Mr. Lenin Magallona (second from right). Together with the Ambassador is the Embassy’s economic officer, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Catherine Alpay (far right). Photo by S. Pamocol
02 August 2017 MOSCOW — “It would be an honor for us if we can realize one project in the Philippines,” said Mr. Polevikov of Transstroyproject. The company, headquartered in Moscow, is one of the leading bridge builders in Russia. The executives visited the Philippine Embassy on July 27 with Mr. Lenin Magallona, a Filipino expat who has established experience and expertise in dealing with the Russian business community. Transstroyproject tapped Mr. Magallona to facilitate the meeting with Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta and the Embassy’s economic officer, Ms. Catherine Alpay.
“Our economy is growing very fast and we realized that, to sustain it, we need to invest in infrastructure. President Duterte, in fact, recently unveiled a 3-year infrastructure plan with a budget of Php 3.6 trillion (roughly USD 72 billion). This includes major projects to develop Mindanao,” explained Ambassador Sorreta.
The Transstroyproject executives expressed serious interest to visit the Philippines to begin making important connections in order to realize their goal of participating in infrastructure development projects in the country. Ambassador Sorreta encouraged them to expand their vision to include investing in physical assets to support their operations and even to train Filipinos in new construction technologies. He also shared potential linkages to public and private sector institutions which are mandated to assist foreign companies intending to invest in the Philippines and also those who wish to venture in public infrastructure projects.
“There is a lot of political support now for closer economic partnerships between Russia and the Philippines. Contractors with the ability and tenacity to accomplish infrastructure development projects in the Philippines, such as building bridges in Mindanao, can become game-changers,” said the Ambassador.
For more information, visit www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph. END
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