05 February 2024 - H.E. Ambassador Maria Lumen B. Isleta met with Ms. Nina Kopola, Director General of Business Finland on 24 January 2024 (Wednesday) in Helsinki, Finland.
Director General Kopola conveyed that Finland has long noted the business opportunities in the Philippines and looks forward to strengthening bilateral trade and investment cooperation. Ambassador Isleta shared the changes in the Philippines’ legislation and policies that make it more attractive to foreign investors, in addition to having access to a talented and young workforce.
Both sides discussed activities and projects that are focused on increasing bilateral trade and investments between the Philippines and Finland, including the continued engagements carried out by the Embassy of the Philippines with Finnish government officials and the private sector on political and economic matters; the specific areas of interest of Finnish businesses to invest in; and the support provided for start-ups who wish to test their products in Finland. END.
12 February 2024 - H.E. Ambassador Maria Lumen B. Isleta together with other Head of Missions of ASEAN Embassies in Finland met with Mr. Ville Tavio, Finnish Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, on 24 January 2024 (Wednesday) in Helsinki, Finland.
The call on Minister Tavio was organized by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA) to allow Embassies to discuss matters of mutual interest with the new Minister, who only assumed his post in June 2023.
Discussions revolved around the ASEAN-EU relations as well as the bilateral relations between Finland and each ASEAN member state. With respect to the Philippines, Minister Tavio expressed his appreciation for the planned reopening of Helsinki PE this year and looked forward to building a stronger strategic partnership in the Philippines, including in working with the Philippines on the implementation of Finland’s Talent Boost Programme. END.
Ambassador Isleta speaks with Minister Tavio
Ambassador Isleta reads out her remarks on ASEAN-EU and the Philippines-Finland relations
05 February 2024 - H.E. Ambassador Maria Lumen B. Isleta met with Mr. Daniel Wolvén, newly appointed Director for Asia, the Pacific Region, and Latin America on 18 January 2024 (Thursday) at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Stockholm, Sweden.
Ambassador Isleta noted that the conduct of the Philippine-Sweden 5th Political Consultations last year, as well as the visit of Mr. Johan Forssell, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade and the upcoming visit of State Secretary Jan Knutsson to Manila, are taken positively by the Philippines.
Director Wolvén welcomed the prospective activities of the Embassy, particularly in the areas of green transition, higher education cooperation, and labour cooperation. He also stated that the MFA would be happy to continue discussions with respect to the PH-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which he deems important to boost trade and economic relations. END.
