Malacañang on Wednesday said the Czech Republic intends to send trade missions to the Philippines next year to explore possible partnerships in defense and agriculture.
Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Karel Hejč conveyed the message during his presentation of credentials to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday.
“The opportunities are here. We just need to grab them,” Hejč said.
“And I’m pleased to mention that just in the next year, we will start here with the visit of the foreign committee of our parliament on so much important defense and security issues of the regional geopolitics,” the envoy cited.
Hejč also said his government plans to send their Minister of Agriculture to the Philippines next year, accompanied by a business delegation.
“Our ministers travel accompanied with business delegations. So, carefully selected companies that are interested in doing business with the Philippines, with the Filipino companies, and investing in Philippines,” he said.
Hejč said that the Czech Republic is one of the producers of the finest war instruments, arms, and ammunition in the world, and is also a major manufacturer of agricultural equipment, including fighter jets, airplanes, and small tractors.
According to Hejč, aside from producing war material, the Czech Republic also offers cooperation in training exercises, maintenance, and upgrades, among others.
Hejč invited President Marcos to visit the Czech Republic to see the presentation of selected manufacturers that will be represented at a huge fair in Manila in September 2024.
For his part, President Marcos told Hejč that his administration prioritizes agriculture to transform the Philippine economy.
The President also listed defense and security as a major thrust for the administration, citing a very thorny regional problem that the country is facing.
“Your country has already been of assistance to us in proposing some vessels that we could use for the securing of our maritime waters, our maritime territory,” the President said.
“And as you must know, that this is becoming a very thorny problem that we are facing,” he added.
Mr. Marcos said that the Philippines and the Czech Republic need close partnerships and alliances to address common challenges.
The Philippines and the Czech Republic established their formal diplomatic relations on October 5, 1973.
Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala arrived in the Philippines for an official visit in April this year.