Sweden further strengthens its long-term partnership in the Philippines, with an increased focus on healthcare, mining, defense, and digitalization.
Håkan Jevrell, Swedish State Secretary to the Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, visited the Philippines for deliberations with his counterpart Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo of the Department of Trade and Industry and meetings with other parts of government.
State Secretary Jevrell and Undersecretary Rodolfo talked about areas of joint interest, with a focus on Swedish engagements in the Philippines. Mr. Jevrell expressed the strong Swedish support for the resumed negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Philippines.
Mr. Jevrell also met with Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino of the Department of National Defense. In September this year, the Swedish government adopted an Indo-Pacific defense policy direction which aims to enhance cooperation with countries in the region on defense materiel, innovation, and technology to contribute to peace and stability.
Some 40 major Swedish companies have local operations in the Philippines, in industries such as sustainable and responsible mining (Atlas Copco, Epiroc, Sandvik, and Volvo Trucks and Construction Equipment), telecommunications (Ericsson), healthcare (AstraZeneca and Elekta) and aerospace, defense and security (Saab). Several other Swedish companies are working with partners in the Philippines, while others are looking into further expanding their local footprint.
During his visit, State Secretary Jevrell oversaw the signing of a strategic partnership to accelerate cancer control efforts in the Philippines. The collaboration was signed by the Provincial Government of Bataan, Business Sweden, Cancer Coalition Philippines, AstraZeneca, Elekta, and Ericsson, with the key focus on cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment, in line with the National Integrated Cancer Control Act.
Sweden is a global leader on cancer control efforts, with advanced care focused on early detection and prevention, supported by national screening programs and strong public health policies.
Also during the visit, the Embassy of Sweden in Manila and Business Sweden announced the launch of a transformative collaboration aimed at advancing sustainable mining practices in the Philippines – a partnership between Business Sweden and the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA), formalized through the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
As part of this, Team Sweden in Manila will be the Partner for the upcoming 70th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference on 19 – 22 November 2024 in Baguio City.
