Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 16) – Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala has arrived in the Philippines where he and his business delegation will strengthen the relationship with Manila and boost support for Czech companies in the country.
READ: Czech Republic PM Fiala to visit PH – DFA
Fiala arrived in Manila on the evening of April 16 where he was greeted by Department of National Defense officer-in-charge Carlito Galvez. His visit marked the upcoming 50th year of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Czech Republic on October 5, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said.
He will visit Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan during his 10-day trip. His diplomatic tour began in the Philippines and will end in Uzbekistan on April 25.
Over three dozen company representatives will accompany the Czech leader during his business mission.
“The goal of the trip, on which I am accompanied by a large business delegation from the Chamber of Commerce and a number of other entrepreneurs, is to improve and develop relations with countries in this region and support Czech companies on local markets,” Fiala said on Twitter on Sunday.
“Support from the state is important for Czech companies everywhere in the world. However, the Indo-Pacific and Central Asia are also important for the Czech Republic for other strategic reasons,” he added. “I believe that within such an intensive program we will succeed in supporting not only bilateral, but mainly business relations.”
On Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will meet with Fiala. They are expected to discuss the strengthening of Manila and Prague’s bilateral relationship through defense cooperation, trade and investment, university linkages, judicial cooperation, and labor cooperation.
Fiala will also attend a business forum with Czech and Filipino entrepreneurs on Monday.
