More than 10 ambassadors and foreign diplomats have visited Davao City this year, signaling growing international interest in forging partnerships and exploring investment opportunities in one of the country’s key economic hubs, the City Information Office (CIO) said.
The latest diplomatic engagements saw Swedish Ambassador Anna Ferry and Irish Ambassador Emma Hickey pay separate courtesy calls on Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte this week to discuss cooperation in investment, innovation, renewable energy, trade, and other priority sectors.
Harvey Lanticse, officer in charge of the CIO, said the steady stream of high-level diplomatic visits reflects Davao City’s rising profile as a strategic destination for international collaboration.
“Just this year alone, more than 10 ambassadors and foreign diplomats have visited Davao City to strengthen bilateral relations between the city and their respective countries. Most recently, the Ambassadors of Sweden and Ireland paid courtesy calls on Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte,” Lanticse told Edge Davao.
“We welcome these high-level visits as they reflect the growing interest of the international community in Davao City as a strategic destination for investment, trade, and partnership in the Philippines,” Lanticse added.
Lanticse said many of the diplomatic meetings have gone beyond ceremonial exchanges, focusing instead on concrete opportunities for cooperation in key industries.
“Beyond strengthening bilateral ties, many of these diplomatic engagements have focused on exploring opportunities for cooperation and investment in key sectors such as agribusiness, modernization, education, renewable energy, and tourism,” he said.
He added that the mayor has maintained an open-door policy for international partners seeking to invest and collaborate with the city.
“Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte has consistently emphasized that Davao City is open to all visitors and welcomes all individuals, organizations, and countries that wish to invest, collaborate, and contribute to the city’s continued growth and development,” Lanticse said.
During her meeting with Duterte, Swedish Ambassador Anna Ferry discussed potential cooperation in transportation, investments, and initiatives to further strengthen the longstanding relationship between Sweden and Davao City.
Meanwhile, Irish Ambassador Emma Hickey made her first official visit to Davao City, where talks focused on renewable energy, trade and investment, and other areas of cooperation.
