THE CZECH Republic is organizing visits to the Philippines that would involve its top government officials and businessmen to boost ties in defense and agriculture, according to its envoy to Manila.
A foreign affairs panel at the Czech parliament will visit the Philippines to tackle “important defense and security issues” in the region, Czech Republic Ambassador to the Philippines Karel Hejč said as he presented his credentials to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
The Czech government would also send its agriculture minister, who would be accompanied by select companies interested in doing business with the Philippines, he added.
Mr. Hejč said a huge Philippine fair in September will be participated in by Czech defense manufacturers that are interested in working with the Philippines armed forces and coast guard.
The Czech Republic was able to develop its defense and security industry given its geographic position in Europe and it is now a key global manufacturer of war instruments such as arms and ammunition as well as jets and airplanes, he touted.
The country also offers deals on equipment maintenance and upgrades, he added.
For his part, Mr. Marcos said the Philippines and the entire Indo-Pacific region is facing a “very thorny” problem.
“Your country has already been of assistance to us in proposing some vessels that we could use for securing our maritime waters,” he said. “And as you must know that this is becoming a very thorny problem that we are facing.”
Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala visited the Philippines in April.
Czech Republic ranked as the Philippines’ 39th trading partner, with total trade amounting to $303.21 million. It was Manila’s eighth largest export market and 47th largest import supplier last year. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza