The Philippines and Switzerland enjoy long-standing and good relations characterized by a robust political dialogue and dynamic trade relationships. The two countries' increasingly important business partnership is further supported by a Joint Economic Commission – established in 2013 – and the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), to which Switzerland is a member.

From the middle of the 19^th century, significant trade relations developed between Switzerland and the Philippines, then a Spanish colony. Switzerland's first consulate in Asia was opened in Manila in 1862 on the initiative of Peter Jenny, an entrepreneur from the canton of Glarus and a member of the National Council. In 1879, a number of Swiss insurance companies set up branches in the Philippines. In the years leading up to the Second World War, some 15 Swiss companies were active in the Philippines, mainly in international trade, the timber industry and plantations.

Today, companies of both countries looking to expand their markets can leverage on the FTA that entered into force in 2018. The utilization rate of the FTA was around 14% in 2019 and expected to increase over time. Bilateral trade between the Philippines and Switzerland rose to CHF 707 million in 2020 and Philippine exports went up by 8%. Approved investments from Switzerland also reached the billion peso mark or equivalent to CHF 20.24 million, from 2016-2020, as Swiss companies continue to invest in the Philippines. Some 60 Swiss companies provide more than 12'000 jobs in the Philippines. Notwithstanding the drastic adjustments to the « new normal » and challenges posed by the COVID-19, both countries strive to keep this positive momentum in the years to come.

Business opportunities include information and communication technologies (ICT), cleantech, the mechanical, electrical and metal (MEM) industry, raw materials and manufacturing.

Programme :

10:00	Welcome and introduction Vincent Subilia, Director General, CCIG H. E. Denis Y. Lepatan, Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein
10:10	The Philippines as a business partner : overview of the Philippine economy and trade mechanisms (Joint Economic Commission, FTA) Ceferino S. Rodolfo, PhD, Undersecretary, Industry Development and Trade Policy Group (recorded)
10:25	Complementary key priority sectors of the Philippines and Switzerland: ICT, MEM Dan Lachica, PhD, President, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI)
10:35	Testimonials by Swiss companies
11:00	Open Forum Discussion between the panelists and the audience
11:30	End of the webinar

The event is free but the registration is mandatory. The event will be held via Zoom and the link will be sent to participants a few hours before the conference.

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