DTI’s Undersecretary for the Industry Development and Trade Policy Group Ceferino S. Rodolfo visited Berlin and Nuremberg on 23-24 September 2019 for a series of engagements with German industry. Usec Rodolfo was accompanied by Director Evariste Cagatan of the Board of Investments (BOI), OIC Lanie Dormiendo of BOI’s International Investments Promotion Service (IIPS), Mr Steve Recto of BOI’s Industry Group, and Mr Mykell Jizen Reyes of BOI-IIPS. His program was organized by PTIC-Berlin, headed by Commercial Counselor Althea Karen Antonio, in coordination with Berlin PE.

In Berlin, Usec Rodolfo met with Mr Volker Thum, General Manager of the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) regarding the Philippines’ interest to become a bigger aerospace parts player. He also met with Mr Harald Zimmer of the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (VFA), Mr Tobias Helmstorf of Bayer, and Dr Gregor Strauch of Boehringer Ingelheim to discuss possible cooperation in enhancing Filipinos’ access to medicine.

He then presided over a Philippine Business Roundtable Discussion which PTIC-Berlin co-organized with the German Asia Pacific Association (OAV) and the Chamber of Commerce (IHK) Berlin at the Philippine Embassy. The activity was moderated by OAV Managing Director Ms Almut Rossner and Mr Jan Ijspeert of IHK-Berlin.

Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega delivered the welcome remarks, where she highlighted the importance attached by the Philippines to its economic ties with Germany, as shown by the fact that Usec Rodolfo’s visit is the 7th high-level visit by a Philippine official this year. She further noted that apart from the trade between the two countries and German investments in the Philippines, Filipino companies are also discovering Germany as an investment destination.

After Berlin, Usec Rodolof and his delegation from the Philippines, accompanied by Ambassador Dizon-De Vega and Ms Antonio, traveled to Nuremberg for a site visit to Via Optronics, in which Ayala’s AC Industrials holds majority shares. They also had a meeting with Mr Armin Siegert of Nuremberg’s Chamber of Commerce (IHK Nuremberg), which has been a partner of PTIC-Berlin and the Embassy in promoting Philippine-German economic cooperation in Bavaria, including through the Asia Pacific Forum Bayern. (END)

DTI Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo and Parliamentary State Secretary (PSS) Thomas Bareiss of the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) today signed the Joint Declaration of Intent Establishing the PH-DE Joint Economic Commission (JDI-JEC) at a simple ceremony at the BMWi headquarters in Berlin.

Usec Rodolfo was joined by Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, Deputy Chief of Mission Lillibeth V. Pono, Economic Officer Cathy Torres, Commercial Counselor Althea Antonio and her team at PTIC-Berlin, and Ms Patrisha Estrella, Trade and Industry Specialist at DTI’s Bureau of International Trade Relations (BITR).

“The JEC provides an important platform to build on the momentum of more dynamic economic engagement between the Philippines and Germany as well as promoting greater synergy between our respective private sectors,” Ambassador Dizon-De Vega said. END

Investing in the Philippines and in New Clark City was pitched by the Philippine Delegation to the Asia Pacific Forum Bayern (APF) held at the Stadthalle Furth in Nuremberg from 9-10 July 2019.

The Philippines was featured in the Asian Hotspots Panel with two panelists Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) Vice President for Investment Promotions Atty. Joanna Capones and Dr. Martin Henkelmann, Executive Director of the German-Philippines Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI).

Dr. Henkelmann gave a presentation on key macro-economic developments in the PH, citing sustained high growth rates, positive credit ratings, improvements in Ease of Doing Business mechanisms, an intensive infrastructure program, and one of the best Human Resources pool in the world as among major factors for investing in the Philippines.

BCDA VP Capones’ presentation focused on developments in New Clark City – the country’s most ambitious foray into Smart City construction. Highlighted in her presentation is the complete master-planning of New Clark City; the 60% green and 40% built space vision; a fully-planned Central Business District of 5.8 million sqm; superior infrastructure with 400 km of Grade A Road Network and a 300 km High speed highway connecting it to Metro Manila, Subic Sea Port, Bataan Export Processing Zone, and other key areas in Central Luzon; Land Rights of 99 years through lease or Joint Venture arrangements; Dual Fiber Optic Backbone of 200 km; Competitive Investment Incentives; and new developments in the Clark International Airport with the new Terminal 2 building set to open in June 2020, among others.

Joining BCDA VP Capones and Director Gerard Camina at APF 2019 were Philippine Ambassador to Germany Theresa Dizon-de Vega, Deputy Consul General Emil Fernandez of the newly re-opened Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, and Commercial Counsellor Althea Antonio.

The Delegation likewise had the opportunity to engage with members of the Chamber of Commerce of Nuremberg and other companies present at the APF which attracted over 400 participants. END