MANILA — France and the Philippines are poised to deepen economic cooperation following a high-level meeting between French officials and executives of BDO Unibank, underscoring a shared commitment to expanding bilateral trade and investment.
French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, His Excellency Laurent Saint-Martin, and French Ambassador to the Philippines, Her Excellency Marie Fontanel, visited BDO to meet with chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson. They were joined by BDO senior officials Romeo R. M. Co, Jr., senior vice president and department head of financial institutions and international desks, and Marie Antoinette Mariano, first vice president and head of Europe and North America desks.
The discussions focused on bolstering trade and investment between France and the Philippines, with emphasis on infrastructure, innovation, and financial partnerships. Minister Saint-Martin highlighted the pivotal role of the private sector in accelerating economic development, citing France’s expertise in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects—including urban transport systems and civil works.
“France sees the Philippines as a strategic partner in Southeast Asia, and we are committed to contributing to its long-term growth,” said Saint-Martin, emphasizing opportunities in transportation, energy, and infrastructure development.
The visit to BDO, the country’s largest bank, reflects growing French interest in the Philippines as an investment destination and reinforces ongoing efforts to foster collaboration between French and Filipino enterprises.
The meeting coincided with an economic briefing hosted by BDO’s Europe and North America desk, attended by representatives from the French Business Delegation, who explored potential investments in the country.
As both countries seek to enhance bilateral economic engagement, the dialogue at BDO marks a significant step in strengthening financial and commercial ties between France and the Philippines.
