State-owned Philippine Guarantee Corp. (PhilGuarantee) is seeking deeper ties with Japanese financial institutions as it explores opportunities to support investment and economic growth in the Philippines.
During a courtesy call on Oct. 1, PhilGuarantee president and CEO Alberto Pascual and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Manila Office Chief Representative Hiroshi Sagawa discussed the country’s economic landscape, investment prospects in the energy and manufacturing sectors, the upcoming annual Asian Exim Banks Forum (AEBF), and potential areas of cooperation.
“We consider this meeting not only a testament to PhilGuarantee’s credibility as the country’s principal agency for state guarantee finance, but also an opportunity to forge strategic partnerships with international institutions that share the same belief: that sustainable development requires empowering the fundamental sectors of an economy, and bridging micro, small, and medium enterprises with robust industrial and manufacturing sectors,” Pascual said.
Established in 1999 and restructured in 2012, JBIC is Japan’s policy-based financial institution, providing lending, investment and guarantee services to support overseas business expansion and private-sector financing.
The meeting forms part of PhilGuarantee’s efforts to build international partnerships and strengthen economic ties, following recent knowledge exchanges and courtesy visits with the Korea Housing Finance Corp. and Nepal’s Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund, as well as the government of Koshi Province.
