Fajon, Philippines president call for strengthening of partnership

Fajon and Marcos called for strengthening partnership in a number of areas, in particular the green transition and the fight against climate change, the Foreign Ministry said. Geopolitical challenges in the context of the uncertain global political situation were also among the topics of the talks.

"Although Slovenia and the Philippines are geographically far apart, they are close in many respects and values," said Fajon, who officially opened the Slovenian Embassy in Manila on Tuesday.

She and Marcos discussed the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, recently established in the Philippines. "A contribution of EUR 1.5 million has put us alongside global efforts to combat climate change, which the Philippines as an island country feel most acutely," Fajon said.

She told the president that Slovenian companies and institutions are very interested in cooperation with the Philippines. Addressing the Slovenian-Philippines business forum, the minister said the event was not only about strengthening business cooperation but about "creating a future together that will connect continents and cultures".

She was happy that the two countries' chambers of commerce and industry will sign a cooperation agreement to expand the exchange of information and good practices, and boost business cooperation.

The Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) said 70 Philippine and Slovenian businessmen attended the forum, seeking opportunities in areas such as energy, food, medicine, technology and tourism.

Tajfun, a manufacturer of forestry machinery, sees the Philippines as a key strategic partner and is considering expanding to this island country, the GZS said.

Its director Iztok Špan said Thailand's advantages are favourable tax breaks, an excellent infrastructure, and young workers willing to learn. The country also enables an easy access to the American market, where Tajfun is already present.

The Slovenian company Elrad International and German giant Stihl have set up a joint venture in the Philippines to manufacture electronics, mainly for the US market.

The joint venture's director Sebastjan Semrajc said the country offers excellent conditions for production, with access to free trade zones, which helps increase competitiveness and reduce production costs.

Trade between Slovenia and the Philippines in 2023 amounted to EUR 31.8 million, up 33% compared to 2022, with exports to Slovenia amounting to EUR 27.2 million and imports from Slovenia amounting to EUR 4.6 million. In 2024, trade reached EUR 25.5 million.

On the sidelines of the forum, Fajon held a meeting with Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, the Philippine secretary of trade and industry. They agreed that such events are extremely important for long-term partnerships between Slovenia and the Philippines, two countries that are very similar despite the geographical distance between them.

They particularly focussed on the EU-Philippines free trade agreement, with Aldeguer-Roque saying they were open to cooperation in agriculture and space technologies.

Fajon concluded her visit with a lecture for students of Far Eastern University on multilateralism, Slovenia's membership of the UN Security Council, the two countries' activities in the field of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in the world, the ministry said.