Remarks of Ambassador Leslie J. Baja at the PEZA-SACC Forum in Zurich on 26 October 2011

Dr. Peter Zuellig, Chair of the Philippine Committee of the Swiss Asian Chamber of Commerce, 
Director General Lilia de Lima of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority,   
Distinguished Officers and members of the Swiss Asian Chamber of Commerce,
Friends of the Philippines, ladies and gentlemen,

It’s a pleasure and a privilege for me to join Dr. Peter Zuellig   in welcoming you to this forum   and to join you in re-discovering   the Philippines as your business partner in Asia.     

We are grateful to the Swiss Asian Chamber of Commerce represented here by Dr. Zuellig, who is ably supported by SACC Secretary General Barbara Schneider.    The SACC has indeed been very gracious and upcoming in organizing this seminar today and the similar event that will be held in Lausanne tomorrow.     

We are also grateful to our sponsor, the Zuellig Pharma present in the Asia-Pacific region.   The Philippines has a long history of friendship with the Zuelligs (who come from Switzerland), and we are proud to say that   Zuellig Pharma group (already present in around 15 countries in the region) was actually “born in the Philippines.”

Philippine- Swiss Economic Relations

We have high hopes that today’s forum will pave the way for deeper economic relations between the Philippines and Switzerland.  

We hope that this event will be able to encourage you, the Swiss business community, to initiate, if not further expand your engagement with our country. 

We may observe that Philippine-Swiss trade and investment relations have shown signs of continuing growth especially in the recent years. 

Our volume of trade increased in 2010 by 38% from 2009 levels.  Committed and approved  Swiss  direct  investments in the Philippines increased  by more than 400% during the same period, making Switzerland the 4^thranking country in terms of approved and pledged direct investments in the Philippines for 2010.    

However, much remains to be desired, if we wish economic relations to reach the level we can aptly describe as robust. 

There is a wide range of opportunities that are still to be tapped, and we are therefore inviting you today take a look at where the Philippines is, and what we can offer. 

The Philippine Business Environment

The Philippines has a stable political situation that results from a vibrant democracy and people-oriented government policies. 

We are happy to note that our Philippine President, Benigno S. Aquino, has adopted the platform of good and effective governance.  This has created an environment that is conducive to doing business in the country. 

We are all aware that a “dark mood” currently persists across Europe, the U.S. and Japan, the consequences of which have hampered the world’s full recovery from the 2008-2009 financial crisis.  

Despite this gloomy setting, the Philippines continue to maintain its firm economic standing and its good fiscal footing, thanks to our stable and sound macroeconomic fundamentals.   Thus, for the first half of 2011, we achieved a growth of 4%, which is double the rate achieved by most developed countries (attaining an average of only 2% or less).  If not for the current global financial crisis, we would have matched our growth of 7.3% for the year 2010. 

The Director General of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Dr. Lilia de Lima, one of the most dynamic and  respected “economic managers”  of the Philippine Government, today will talk to you about  the Philippine  economic zones.   

I am sure she will be able draw your interest to the attractive fiscal and other incentives offered in these economic zones,   which you may not find elsewhere.

There is one very unique incentive that I would like to  mention,  and which,   I am certain,  Dr. de Lima  will  emphasize in her presentation :  it is the richness of the Philippines in human resources.  We have an educated, professional, and hardworking English-speaking workforce. The Filipino worker will propel your business  undertaking towards success,  and ensure the positive returns on your investments.  

I am happy that two Swiss companies operating in the Philippine economic zones are represented in this forum, to give an insight on their experience in the country, and to further convince you to consider business operations in the Philippines.  The Franke Commercial Systems Group (in Aarburg) is represented by its President and CEO Mr. Hans Jurg Ott, and APM Technica (in Heerbrugg) is represented by its CEO Mr. Stefan Mattle. 

Final Note

Friends, once again we thank you for your interest in the Philippines. 

We assure you that the Philippines will only give you the best.  We welcome you to our country not only as investors and business partners, but also as our friends.

 
Mabuhay!