Interactive Session with H.E Josel Francisco Ignacio, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines held
The diplomatic relationship between India and the Philippines dates back to 1949, marking over
seven decades of cooperation based on shared values, democratic principles, and a mutual
vision for progress. Both nations gained independence in the mid-20th century and have since
championed anti-colonialism and South-South cooperation. This historical connection, coupled
with the widespread use of English, has laid a robust foundation for their bilateral relations.
India’s Look East Policy, initiated in 1992 and later evolved into the Act East Policy in 2014, has
significantly bolstered India’s engagement with ASEAN countries, including the Philippines. These
policies have expanded the scope of cooperation across political, security, trade, industry, and
people-to-people exchanges. The Act East Policy aligns well with the Philippines’ development
goals, creating favourable conditions for enhanced bilateral relations. High-level visits and
exchanges have also been pivotal in strengthening political and security ties.
The Calcutta Chamber of Commerce successfully hosted a special session on “Promoting India-Philippines Partnership,” bringing together key dignitaries, industry leaders, and members of the diplomatic community to discuss bilateral trade and investment opportunities. The event was graced by His Excellency Mr. Josel Francisco Ignacio, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines in India, as the Chief Guest. He was joined by Ms. Melissa Anne Telan, Hon’ble Third Secretary and Vice Consul of the Embassy of the Philippines, Mr. Deepak Kumar Khemka, Honorary Consul General, Consulate General of the Philippines in Kolkata, and Mr. Eugenio C. Elevado, Jr., Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of the Philippines, as Guests of Honour.
Mr. Hari Shankar Halwasiya, President of the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce, delivered the welcome address, acknowledging the distinguished guests and highlighting the Chamber’s pivotal role in fostering trade and commerce since its inception in 1830. He emphasized the significance of strengthening economic ties between India and the Philippines under India’s “Act East Policy” and the Philippines’ “Build-Build-Build Programme.” The session underscored the growth in bilateral trade, which surged from $1.89 billion in 2015-16 to $3.05 billion in 2022-23, marking a significant milestone as it surpassed the $3 billion mark for the first time. The discussion also shed light on India’s exports to the Philippines, including electronic goods, automobile components, petroleum products, and pharmaceuticals, while major imports from the Philippines comprised electrical machinery, semi-conductors, pearls, and food industry residues.
His Excellency Mr. Josel Francisco Ignacio, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines emphasized strengthening economic and business ties between the Philippines and India, particularly with West Bengal, citing the region’s remarkable economic growth and investment potential. He highlighted the Philippines’ commitment to fostering bilateral trade, investment, and tourism, mentioning ongoing efforts to improve trade agreements, air connectivity, and visa accessibility. The Philippines is implementing business-friendly reforms, including tax incentives and regulatory changes, to attract Indian enterprises. He acknowledged challenges such as limited Philippine investments in India and trade sector constraints but reiterated the commitment to overcoming them. With growing economic synergy and shared interests, both nations are poised for deeper collaboration in key sectors. The session concluded with a call for further diversification of trade and joint economic initiatives to enhance the longstanding relationship between the two nations.
Mr. Mahesh Kumar Saharia, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Indonesia in Kolkata and Past President of the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce, delivered the concluding remarks and moderated the discussions. The Calcutta Chamber of Commerce reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating stronger economic and business engagements between India and the Philippines, fostering a new era of bilateral cooperation and growth.
