NEW CZECH ENVOY. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (right) receives the letter of credence of Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Karel Hejč in a ceremony at the Reception Hall of Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday (Oct. 24, 2023). During the presentation of credentials, Marcos expressed hope that the Philippines and the Czech Republic would explore more areas of cooperation. (PNA photo by Rey Baniquet)
MANILA – The Czech Republic is considering sending trade missions to the Philippines next year for possible partnerships on defense and agriculture, Malacañang said Wednesday.
The plan to organize visits of high-ranking government officials and business delegations from the Central Europe nation was discussed when Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Karel Hejč presented his credentials to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in a ceremony at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday.
“The opportunities are here. We just need to grab them 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,” Hejč told Marcos, as quoted by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
“But later on in the year, we plan on bringing our Minister of Agriculture to Manila and to the Philippines where we want to – naturally, our ministers travel accompanied by business delegations. So, carefully selected companies that are interested in doing business with the Philippines, with the Filipino companies, and investing in Philippines.”
Hejč said the Czech Republic, given its geographic position in Europe and its role in past regional conflicts, was able to enhance and develop its defense and security industry, making it one of the producers of the “finest war instruments, arms, and ammunition in the world.”
He noted that the country began with making small tractors used in agriculture and eventually manufactured fighter jets, airplanes, and other equipment.
He said the Czech Republic also offers cooperation in training exercises, maintenance and upgrades, on top of war materiel production, making its defense manufacturing sector its flagship industry.
“There is a lot. We certainly don't have the time for all that now but as Manila will be hosting a huge fair in September next year, I will be very happy to invite you to come to see the presentation of the selected manufacturers that will be represented in that fair,” Hejč told Marcos.
“And, if you will have some time during your visit in the Czech Republic, it will be also a pleasure to show you some of the industries that are interested in working with your Armed Forces, with your Coast Guard."
Marcos welcomed the possible strengthening of the two nations’ ties, especially in two specific areas.
He said his administration is putting a premium on key industries, with agriculture being on top of the list, to transform the Philippine economy.
Defense and security, he said, are a major thrust for the administration, considering that the issue of maritime security is a “very thorny” problem that besets the Philippines.
“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. And as you must know that this is becoming a very thorny problem that we are facing,” Marcos said.
“Not only the Philippines but I think the entire region, even extending up to the Indo-Pacific. So, there’s much that we need to attend to but I think that if we are able to have close partners and alliances, that we'll always be a very important part of our foreign policy.”
Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala met with Marcos when he visited the Philippines in April this year.
During their meeting, Marcos and Fiala agreed to boost the two countries’ ties, particularly on defense, trade and investment, university-to-university linkages, as well as judicial and labor cooperation.
The Philippines and Czech Republic established their formal diplomatic relations on Oct. 5, 1973.
The Czech Republic ranked as the Philippines’ 39th trading partner, 28th export market, and 47th import supplier in 2022, with total bilateral trade amounting to USD303.21 million.
Among the Philippine top exports are storage units, semiconductor devices manufactured from materials on a consignment basis, digital monolithic integrated circuits, other sports footwear with outer soles of rubber or plastic, electrical and electronic machinery, and equipment and parts.
Top imports, on the other hand, include materials, accessories, and imported supplies for the manufacture of dice of any material, bearing housings, incorporating ball or roller bearings, other apparatus for carrier-current line systems for digital line systems, revolvers and pistols, electrical and electronic machinery, equipment, and parts.
Based on December 2022 figures, an estimated 4,864 Filipinos are in the Czech Republic, with the majority working in the processing industry, automotive industry, repair of appliances, manufacturing, information technology, real estate, health, wellness and household service. (PNA)
