Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell welcomed Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo and Secretary of Trade Alfredo Pascual to Adelaide for the sixth Philippines–Australia Ministerial Meeting (PAMM). With the recent visit of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the Philippines including the signing the Australia-Philippines Strategic Partnership, PAMM provided opportunity and continuity for the two countries strategic partnership into action.
On the 9th of October, the Australia Philippines Business Council led by President Rafael Toda, Philippine Australia Business Council led by Chair Atty Dennis Quintero and the Republic of the Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry organized a Business Roundtable Meeting. The meeting included delegates from the Department of Trade and Industry Hon. Alfredo Pascual, Director Ms. Marie Sherylyn Aquia, Department of Trade and Industry – Sydney Special Trade Representative Ms. Alma Argayoso, Philippine Embassy/Philippine Consulate General H.E. Ambassador Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, Hon. Maria Lourdes Salcedo, Melbourne PCG, Vice Consul Angela Laurente, Canberra PE, Honorary Consul Carmen Garcia, Adelaide PCG.
Business leaders provided topics of discussions from meeting of balance of trade, biosecurity compliance, manufacturing, opportunity for Filipino workers in the aged care sector, resources and energy solutions. Business leaders and representatives included Prof Simon McKirdy – Murdoch University (Biosecurity and One Health), Rafael Toda – APBC (Aged Care and Education), Dennis Quintero – PABC (Mining/Green Metals), Philip Major – Cyclion Pty Ltd (Waste to Energy & Fuels), Paul Watson – Southern Infrastructure Pty Ltd (Thorium Reactor), Jeff Pearman – Fortescue Metals group Ltd (Hydrogen Energy), Jun Capili – Kaizen ANZ Pty Ltd (Mass Housing), Glenn Smyth – Fragile to Agile (Digital Transformation), Chris Sampson – Future Earth Systems (Connecting Entrepreneurial Ecosystems), and Daniel Cross -Detmold Group (Manufacturing and Sustainable Packaging).
Secretary Pascual engaged with the Australian Business representatives, encouraging Australian firms to seize the stronger economic cooperation between the Philippines and Australia. Secretary welcomed potential investments and partnerships from Australian firms and expressed the Philippines’ commitment to deepening collaboration across various areas of mutual interest, such as agriculture, education, critical minerals, and clean energy.
Secretary Pascual witnessed the signing of two Letters of Intent and one MOU on investments and collaboration on research and investments. The business agreements signed include a potential equity and/or project investment by the National Development Company with green energy company and Cyclion Pty Ltd to treat Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and convert it to useful fuel or electricity. An agreement signed was a research collaboration between Algae Harvest Pty Ltd, a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of Murdoch University and Cyclion Pty Ltd. Additionally, a Letter of Intent was also included by Southern Infrastructure Pty Ltd to develop a thorium-fueled reactor to deliver a safe, sustainable and green (C02=0) base load energy to contribute to the country’s renewable energy targets.
Secretary Pascual stresses “Recently, we achieved a significant milestone by elevating our relationship from a comprehensive to a strategic partnership by signing the Joint Declaration. This shift not only broadens our strategic cooperation but also enhances trade and investment between our nations.”
The Australia Philippines Business Council have been very honoured to provide the business opportunity and support for members Murdoch University and Cyclion Pty Ltd during the Philippines–Australia Ministerial Meeting (PAMM).
Photo credit: David Simmons | Solstice Media and John Tantoco
