PH, Mexico keen to increase trade, culture ties
By Raymund Antonio and Raymund Antonio
Published Jul 10, 2023 08:01 am
Increasing cooperation in trade and culture between the Philippines and Mexico has been agreed upon by both countries during the presentation of credentials by Mexico’s Ambassador-designate Daniel Hernandez-Joseph to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 10.
(From left) Mexican resident Ambassador-designate Daniel Hernandez-Joseph presents his credentials to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in Malacañang on Monday, July 10. (King Rodriguez/PPA Pool)
Quoting Hernandez-Joseph, a statement from Malacañang underscored the “cultural closeness” between the two countries because of their shared histories.
The envoy described Mexico and the Philippines as “connectors” between Asia and America, adding that “there is so much we can do in trade, in culture, in science” through that role.
Marcos agreed with the new ambassador-designate’s assessment, and stressed that the new economy after the Covid-19 pandemic calls for a new kind of workforce with different skills.
“And much of the work we are doing to transform the economy is to transform the workforce so that the daily technologies are understood. It extends in every field,” he said.
The fact that Mexico was traditionally seen as a distant country halfway around the world doesn’t matter anymore because the pandemic taught how to do business virtually.
“So I think that changes the relationship and that changes the possibilities, the potentials that we should explore,” Marcos added.
Noting the “strong Filipino community” in Mexico that became a part of society there, he thanked Mexico for taking care of them.
During their conversation, Hernandez-Joseph shared that Mexico’s national university made an offering of Filipino studies this year.
“It’s just beginning which again like I said opens new opportunities for furthering the knowledge and exchange of each other today not only in history but who we are together and what we can do together today,” he said.
Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Mexico were established on April 14, 1953.
In the same year, the Philippines and Mexico opened their respective embassies.
This year marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations of the two countries, and this was commemorated last April 14 with an illumination of national monuments and buildings in both countries.
According to February 2023 data, there are 1,206 Filipinos in Mexico. They are mainly craft- and trade-related workers, technicians and associate professionals, and other industry professionals.
The Philippines’ total trade to Mexico has been steadily increasing since 2020. It reached $ 1.1 billion in 2022, ranking Mexico as the 23rd trading partner of the Philippines.
(From left) Mexican resident Ambassador-designate Daniel Hernandez-Joseph presents his credentials to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in Malacañang on Monday, July 10. (King Rodriguez/PPA Pool)
Quoting Hernandez-Joseph, a statement from Malacañang underscored the “cultural closeness” between the two countries because of their shared histories.
The envoy described Mexico and the Philippines as “connectors” between Asia and America, adding that “there is so much we can do in trade, in culture, in science” through that role.
Marcos agreed with the new ambassador-designate’s assessment, and stressed that the new economy after the Covid-19 pandemic calls for a new kind of workforce with different skills.
“And much of the work we are doing to transform the economy is to transform the workforce so that the daily technologies are understood. It extends in every field,” he said.
The fact that Mexico was traditionally seen as a distant country halfway around the world doesn’t matter anymore because the pandemic taught how to do business virtually.
“So I think that changes the relationship and that changes the possibilities, the potentials that we should explore,” Marcos added.
Noting the “strong Filipino community” in Mexico that became a part of society there, he thanked Mexico for taking care of them.
During their conversation, Hernandez-Joseph shared that Mexico’s national university made an offering of Filipino studies this year.
“It’s just beginning which again like I said opens new opportunities for furthering the knowledge and exchange of each other today not only in history but who we are together and what we can do together today,” he said.
Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Mexico were established on April 14, 1953.
In the same year, the Philippines and Mexico opened their respective embassies.
This year marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations of the two countries, and this was commemorated last April 14 with an illumination of national monuments and buildings in both countries.
According to February 2023 data, there are 1,206 Filipinos in Mexico. They are mainly craft- and trade-related workers, technicians and associate professionals, and other industry professionals.
The Philippines’ total trade to Mexico has been steadily increasing since 2020. It reached $ 1.1 billion in 2022, ranking Mexico as the 23rd trading partner of the Philippines.