Laurent Saint-Martin, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, in charge of Foreign Trade and French Nationals Living Abroad, made an official two-day visit (April 10-11) to the Philippines to foster closer economic and diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Minister Saint-Martin met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to discuss expanding trade and investment opportunities, strengthening financial partnerships for infrastructure and innovation, and enhancing collaboration between French and Filipino enterprises.
One of the highlights of the visit was the opening of the France-Philippines Business Forum on April 11, in collaboration with Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina A. Roque. The forum provided a platform for key stakeholders to discuss opportunities for expanding bilateral business relations and explore potential partnerships between French and Philippine enterprises.
Minister Saint-Martin’s visit also saw the signing of several bilateral agreements with the Department of Transportation, marking the continued cooperation between France and the Philippines in the transportation sector. The agreements aim to improve the country’s urban transport systems and enhance mobility infrastructure, including partnerships with private companies.
In a bid to bolster the Philippines’ digital economy, Minister Saint-Martin met Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda to discuss further collaboration on ICT development, digital infrastructure, and resource-sharing initiatives.
On April 11, the Minister toured Manila’s LRT 1 control station and electrical substation, gaining a closer look at ongoing projects aimed at enhancing urban transport in the capital. The visit underscored France’s continued interest in supporting the Philippines in its efforts to modernize its infrastructure and urban mobility systems.
Together with Ambassador Marie Fontanel, Minister Saint-Martin also met with prominent Philippine conglomerates and members of the local business community, as well as representatives from French companies and the French expatriate community living in the Philippines. These meetings are expected to pave the way for increased economic cooperation between the two countries, particularly in sectors such as technology, infrastructure, and urban mobility.
With the Philippines playing a key role in Southeast Asia, the visit underscores France’s commitment to strengthening its partnerships in the region, particularly in areas of trade, innovation, and infrastructure. Both countries share a vision of promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific and fostering mutually beneficial collaborations for the future.
