European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. (REUTERS/File Photo)
MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday said that representatives from the European Union (EU) had branded the Philippines as an attractive investment destination.
Romualdez has met with representatives from the 70-member EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) last Tuesday.
“We have been highlighting to them that this region (ASEAN), particularly the Philippines, is the most attractive in the world for European businesses,” said EU-ABC Board Member Noel Clehane, as quoted in Romualdez’s statement.
According to Romualdez, he had told the EU delegation of Congress’ efforts to “make the Philippines a more inviting host for business investments and economic activities.”
“We’re here to see how we can help. We would like to support you, we would like to assist. We’d like to be aware of the challenges so we could address them together,” Romualdez told the EU delegation representatives.
The head of the delegation, Jens Ruebber, cited the Philippines’ recent economic performance, manifested by a 7.2 percent growth in the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
“That’s extremely well recognized in the business world,” Ruebbert said.
“Probably the highest hike in the region has helped you to sustain and get things under control. So big congratulations for the economic situation, which is I think the basis for motivating European Union and other foreign companies to further invest and further extend trade with the Philippines,” he said.