WITH better infrastructure, Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Harald Fries said the number of Swedish tourists visiting the Philippines would most likely increase.
The envoy noted that in the last six years, Swedish tourists have more than doubled.
“After a very low level, the Swedes entering the Philippines have swelled significantly. Compared to Thailand, I think the number of visitors is 15 times higher here,” Fries said in an interview.
He said the statistic surprises him, because “the Philippines has so much to offer.” “If only infrastructure will improve in this country, more Swedish tourists will come here in the Philippines,” he said, adding that this year, “we will celebrate 70 years of excellent diplomatic relations”.
Between 2009 and 2015 Swedish tourists to the Philippines jumped 73 percent, representing about 23,000 visitors, he said. In 2008 the Swedish Embassy in Manila closed due to the global financial crisis. It resumed operations on November 8, 2016.
“The reopening of the embassy signifies the importance that Sweden attaches to the Philippines, and marks a re-ignition of our bilateral relations,” he added.
Interested companies
Fries said that many Swedish companies have already signified their interest to do business in the Philippines.
Earlier the ambassador said the biggest-ever Swedish business delegation recently visited the country.
A business delegation of roughly 25 Swedish companies and no less than 70 top businessmen came to the Philippines to interface with local counterparts and government officials.
“Several major Swedish companies have recently decided to establish, or expand their presence in the Philippines. H&M, Transcom, Saab and Ikea are notable examples,” he said, adding the role of the embassy is to “promote trade relations and investments”.
Swedish businessmen, he pointed out, are looking into “smart solutions in transportation and energy. When it comes to traffic management, they can offer traffic lights, toll systems to make traffic run better, and bus rapid-transfer systems.”
He estimated that the business-process outsourcing company Transcom has already employed up to 12,000 Filipinos across Metro Manila, Bacolod and Iloilo.
The furniture retail company Ikea is among the Swedish companies expected to open shop in the Philippines this year.
Fries noted that not a lot of Filipinos are aware that the said brands and services are from his homeland.
Image credits: Alysa Salen