MAKATI – Trade secretary Ramon Lopez said a business and trade mission from Slovenia is set to arrive in the Philippines in March 2019 to broaden trade ties between the two countries.
“The Philippines considers the European Union, which Slovenia is part of, as a major trade and investment partner. We are happy to hear of this visit and are looking forward to forging more partnerships with Slovenia,” Lopez said after his meeting with Philippine Honorary Consul in Slovenia Srecko Debelak.
The consul said Slovenia’s Port of Koper is an ideal entry point for PH goods because it shortens the trade route to Central and Eastern Europe. The port’s traffic, he said, is also growing considerably with shipments from China and the rest of Asia.
The European Union (EU) granted the Philippines the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) in 2014. With the GSP+, 6,274 product tariff lines are duty-free compared to the regular covering just 6,209 product tariff lines, of which 2,443 are subject to zero duty while 3,767 are subject to reduced tariffs.
Prepared tunas, skipjack and bonito and desiccated coconuts are some of the Philippines’ export products to Slovenia that are included in EU GSP+.
The DTI chief also met with Slovenian energy company Solvera Lynx to assist them in looking for a local country partner to implement their energy-saving technology.
GemaLogic, the company’s energy management software, allows users to monitor and analyze energy consumption via an online app and is targeted for big companies and industries.
Solvera Lynx said they will contribute their software and technology, and that the new hardware and personnel will come from PH.
“We’re always ready to help. We also thank Solvera Lynx for bringing this technology that will help conserve energy and create jobs for more Filipinos,” said Lopez.
In 2017, Slovenia was the Philippines’ 68th trading partner – being the 76th top export market and 60th top import supplier. Total bilateral trade was valued at USD30.24 million.
Major growth industries in Slovenia include information and communication technology (ICT), energy, financial services, and logistics/transport. (With report from DTI/PN)
