[In photo: (standing row, L-R) Consul Charles Macaspac, BOI Director Lanie Dormiendo, BOI Executive Director Evariste Cagatan, FIT Director Pascal Walrave, DTI Undersecretary for Communications Ma. Blanca Kim Lokin, DOE Assistant Secretary Mylene Capongcol, Commercial Counselor Magnolia Ashley; (sitting row, L-R) Philippine Ambassador to Belgium Jaime Victor Ledda, BFTA Director General FabinneL’Hoost, DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual, AWEX CEO Pascale Delcomminette]
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual expressed the Philippines’ desire for deeper and broader trade and investment relations with Belgium, during the meeting with the regional agencies for the promotion of foreign trade on June 26, 2023.
He emphasized that both countries have their own unique strengths and resources which can complement each other in promoting economic growth, generating job opportunities, and enhancing bilateral trade relations.
The Belgium delegation included AWEX (Walloon Export and Foreign Investment Agency) CEO Pascale Delcomminette, Belgian Foreign Trade Agency (BFTA) Director General Fabinne L’Hoost, Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT) Director Strategy of the Chief Executive Office Pascal Walrave.
The trade between Belgium and the Philippines has shown a significant increase, primarily in the exports of Belgium to the country of its machinery, pharmaceutical products, chemicals, and vehicles. To date, Belgium companies have invested in the Philippines across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, services, energy, and logistics.
The Trade Chief also mentioned the Philippines’ readiness to welcome the Economic Missions led by Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid.
He also sought the support of Belgium on the forthcoming Philippine Business Forum on June 27 in Brussels. This forum will highlight the strengths of the EU and Belgium in aeronautics and aerospace, green chemistry and sustainable materials, renewable energies, and semiconductors. These areas will complement the Philippines’ abundant resources of green metals, policies toward sustainability, promotion of digital and technological innovation, and the young, dynamic workforce.
The meeting was organized by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC)-Brussels. Secretary Pascual was accompanied by DTI Undersecretary for Communications Ma. Blanca Kim B. Lokin, DTI Assistant Secretary Allan B. Gepty, PTIC-Brussels Commercial Counselor and Director Magnolia M. Ashley, and other members of the Philippine delegation.
