Having been Ambassador to the Commission of the European Communities in Brussels, I continue to have an interest in developments in the EU particularly in trade and investments.
During my lunch with Ambassador Guy Ledoux of the European Union Delegation he pointed out the following:
1. EU-PHL trade grew by 34 percent, which is the highest growth rate in over ten years. Total trade was 9 billion euros.
2. EU-PHL trade in services was stable at 2.2 billion euros. He highlighted the growth potential in BPO.
3. EU is the largest investor in the Philippines with a cumulative FDI stock of 6.6 billion euros representing 38 percent of total FDI stock.
4. The 660,000 land based OFWs plus 120,000 seamen manning European ships remitted $2.6 billion, making the EU the second largest source of remittances.
5. EU was the fifth largest source of tourism at 297,000 visitors.
The above, in my opinion, makes it imperative for our embassies in Europe to aggressively pursue their action plans related to economic diplomacy. I suggest that the embassy staff go to the EU Delegation website (http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/philippines) and download the EU-Philippines Trade and Investment Factfile. It is an excellent primer on what to focus on. –Roberto R. Romulo (The Philippine Star)
July 2025
Nutrition Month
“Give us much more than P50 increase
for proper nutrition!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos
July
3 July – International Day of Cooperatives
3 July – International Plastic Bag Free Day
5 July – World Youth Skills Day
7 July – Global Forgiveness Day
11 July – World Population Day
17 July – World Day for International Justice
28 July – World Nature Conservation Day
30 July – World Day against Trafficking in Persons
Monthly Observances:
Schools Safety Month
Nutrition Month
National Disaster Consciousness Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 2: Cultural Communities Week
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise
Development Week
Week 3: National Science and
Technology Week
National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week
July 1-7:
National Culture Consciousness Week
July 13-19:
Philippines Business Week
Week ending last Saturday of July:
Arbor Week
Daily Observances:
First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines
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