Pascual courts Netherlands for aviation industry collaboration
Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual courts Netherlands aviation industry
\-\- Shown in photo \(from L\-R front row\): DOE Assistant Secretary Mylene Capongcol; Chairman of the Board of NAG Lex Besselink; DTI Secretary Fred Pascual; Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands H\.E\. Jose Eduardo Malaya; DTI Undersecretary for Communications Kim Bernardo\-Lokin \| From L\-R \(back row\): Nanno Kuiper\, Sales Manager of Avion; Johan Godin\, CEO of Aviavox; NAG Managing Director Frank Jansen; Lars Crombach of NACO; Philippine Trade and Investment Center \- Brussels Commercial Counsellor Magnolia Ashley; Board of Investments Executive Director Evariste Cagatan; Jack Madrid\, President of IBPAP; Dan Lachica\, President of SEIPI Robert Koolen\, Sales Director of Fokker Services Group\.
Further, Pascual sees the Netherlands as a gateway for Philippine airline companies to expand their operations in Europe given its record as a major European hub. This potential link between the two countries can facilitate business and tourism travel, as well as trade and investments between the two countries. He also cited education and skills development, promotion of sustainable aviation, and the development of space technology and applications as other areas for collaboration. With the Netherlands having renowned aerospace engineering programs and research institutions, Pascual highlighted that the Philippines will benefit greatly from joint research projects, knowledge exchange, and training programs, building the country's capacity in this sector. With the shortage of engineering and talent in Europe, opportunities for outsourcing was discussed for flight simulation, voice, and engineering consultancy. While, the Dutch programme called “Partners for International Business” was also mentioned as a platform to develop a two to three-year action plan to assist Dutch companies to internationalize. "Our country is positioned to be the hub for manufacturing and aftermarket services in the aerospace industry including aircraft MRO and aerospace manufacturing in the Asia Pacific region." He likewise boasted that the Philippines is home to Collins Aerospace, the world's leading aircraft interiors company and Lufthansa Technik, a top MRO provider. The RTM was also attended by Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands H.E. Jose Eduardo Malaya who delivered an opening remarks, DTI Undersecretary for Communications Kim Bernardo-Lokin, Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary Mylene Capongcol, Philippine Trade and Investment Center - Brussels Commercial Counsellor Magnolia Ashley, Board of Investments Executive Director Evariste Cagatan, Director Lanie Dormiendo, NAG Managing Director Frank Jansen, IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) President Jack Madrid, and Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. President Dan Lachica.