NordCham directors addressng the media, from left to right: VP & Treasurer Uffe Henrichsen, President Bo Lundqvist, Executive Director Joona Selin, Corporate Secretary Nicky Gemperle
NordCham Philippines (formerly Nordic Business Council Philippines) unveiled the new name, logo, and website of the organization to the media and NordCham members and guests at the BDO Corporate Center on September 1, 2016. Since its establishment in late 2012, the organization has grown from zero to 100+ members, becoming the largest Nordic Chamber of Commerce in Asia.
While NordCham members have invested in the billion-dollar scale in the Philippines, NordCham President Mr. Bo Lundqvist sees more investments to come: “The continued growth of the Philippine economy, and the opportunities it opens up for business, direct investment, and employment are exciting to us all. NordCham actively participates in this growth by promoting the Philippines as a business destination, and by continuing to help Nordic business successfully establish business links with the Philippines.”
Referring to the 10-point agenda of the new Administration under President Duterte, Mr. Lundqvist continues: “We see it as an agenda in which we would like to participate actively. Our Nordic countries have long been advocates for open trade and open economies. We are excited to see this development take place, together with changes towards ease of doing business, these are some of the key building blocks of the economic agenda of the new administration.”
“In particular, we see infrastructure, renewable energy and ICT as areas where the Nordic countries have world-leading innovation and technology to offer to the Philippines. We also believe we have both the experience, and a working model of good governance, health care, education and social security which the Philippines could take inspiration and learning from, as the roadmap is being crafted.”
In addition to the new name and logo, NordCham Philippines introduced the Advisory Board as a new organizational body that further strengthens the structure for Nordic-Philippine trade and investment promotion activities. The Board consists of resident and non-resident ambassadors of Nordic countries in the Philippines, as well as prominent Filipino entrepreneurs with connections to the Nordic countries.
The launch night also included an inspiring speech from global keynote speaker Fredrik Härén, who took the stage to talk about the essence of creativity, and why the Nordic countries and the Philippines have a creativity advantage.
