By Roy Lie Atjam
Celebrating 75 years of partnership, friendship, and a relationship that continues to grow
This milestone marks 75 years of diplomatic relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, highlighting more than seven decades of friendship, shared history, and cooperation. The celebrations included an appreciation dinner and the presentation of awards as tokens of this valued partnership. Interestingly, despite being thousands of miles apart, the Philippines and the Netherlands were once part of the same entity from 1565 to 1581, under Emperor Charles V and King Philip II. The Philippines is named after King Philip II. For the 75th anniversary celebration, a commemorative logo representing various aspects of the bilateral relationship was launched on January 1, 2026.
The Embassy of the Philippines in the Netherlands has released documentation highlighting various achievements and accomplishments to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Netherlands. The festive evening began with welcome speeches from H.E. Mr. Eduardo Malaya, the Ambassador. The keynote address was delivered by H.E. Mr. Allan B. Gepty, the Undersecretary for International Trade at the Department of Trade and Industry. A summary of both speeches is included in this review. Dutch Ambassador Saskia de Lang also addressed the gathering.
Additionally, the program featured a written statement from H.E. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the President of the Philippines, who proudly stated, “The Philippine economy is not only growing; it is thriving. Together, we can unlock unprecedented opportunities for growth and development.” The appreciation dinner for Dutch companies operating in the Philippines brought together prominent Dutch business figures, government officials, international representatives, members of the Philippine Netherlands Business Council (PNBC), and several other guests.
An exquisite seated dinner formed part of the evening. Everyone left the venue in high spirits, carrying a bag filled with Filipino treats.
Abbreviated Speeches by Ambassador Malaya and Undersecretary Gepty
Abbreviated welcome speech by Ambassador H.E. Eduardo Mlaya:
“75 years of partnership, friendship, and a relationship that continues to grow.” Over the past 75 years, our partnership has thrived through strong business-to-business engagements. Many in the Philippines may be surprised to learn that the Netherlands consistently ranks among the top 5 investor countries and often leads within the European Union. In the last 12 years, Dutch investors contributed P755 billion (Euro 12 billion) to the Philippines, making the Netherlands the top source of foreign investments. Trade relations have flourished, with a steady annual growth of 10%, predominantly facilitated through the Port of Rotterdam.
As Ambassador, I’m pleased to see both governments recognizing the importance of these business ties. The Bilateral Consultation Commission met in June 2021 and September 2024 to enhance political interactions, with significant developments including the October 2023 visit of Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot. In September 2024, we formalized a platform for economic discussions through the Coordinating Authorities, established under the 1995 MOU on Economic and Technical Cooperation.
This anniversary year began with the Netherlands’ Minister for Trade and Development visiting Manila on February 9-10, resulting in five agreements between Dutch and Filipino partners across various sectors. Recently, Undersecretary Gepty and I attended the Philippine-Europe Connectivity Exchange organized with PLDT at the KIT Tropical Institute in Amsterdam, showcasing the Philippines’ expanding digital industry. We also met with Deputy Director General for Foreign Economic Relations Yvette van Eechoud. Upcoming events include an economic mission for Philippine semiconductor companies mid-year and a concert featuring Filipino soprano Rachel Gerodias-Park on May 21 at Nieuwe Kerk. Please mark your calendars.
Tonight celebrates you, your companies, and the contributions of the two chambers and exemplary individuals to the strong Philippines-Netherlands partnership.
As President Marcos stated, “foreign investments … fuel our growth … and broaden our economic base.” We express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone here, especially to our collaborators, the Philippines-Netherlands Business Council, represented by Ambassador Saskia de Lang, and the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, particularly Arthur Plugge. We also appreciate the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented by Director Jacobs, Mr van Tooren, and Ms Karlijn van Bree.
There have been challenges in doing business in the Philippines, but your perseverance has brought rewards. In the spirit of a Dutch saying about appreciation, I’ll quote Jean Baptiste Massieu: “gratitude is the memory of the heart.” Thank you all, and I wish you a wonderful evening.
Abbreviated speech by H.E. Allan B. Gepty, the Undersecretary for International Trade at the Department of Trade and Industry:
Our economies, despite cultural differences, share values like good governance, adherence to rules, and a commitment to fair trade, innovation, and sustainable development. The Netherlands is a key economic partner for the Philippines, ranking as the 13th largest trading partner and 5th largest export market as of 2025.
It’s encouraging to see Dutch companies expanding in sectors like semiconductors, electronics, software development, and IT-BPM services, which align with the Philippines’ strengths in a skilled digital workforce and a growing innovation ecosystem. A stable partnership with the Dutch fosters innovation in a globalized economy, as the Netherlands was a pioneer in this regard.
Additionally, ASEAN has led the creation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the largest trading bloc globally, representing 50% of manufacturing output, 50% of automotive products, and 70% of electronic products, serving as key hubs for China, South Korea, and Japan.
Just like the Netherlands in the 17th century, ASEAN is reshaping global trade networks as we upgrade existing agreements and establish a new one with Canada. Southeast Asia’s digital economy is expected to hit USD 1 trillion by 2030, driven by rapid growth in fintech, e-commerce, and digital payments. The region is also developing digital trade ecosystems through the Digital Economy Framework Agreement, reminiscent of historical financial innovations in Amsterdam. For investors and companies, this presents dynamic opportunities to connect European innovation and capital with Asia’s growth markets.
The Philippines is emerging as a key connectivity and digital services hub in the Asia-Pacific, driven by expanding subsea cable systems, cloud infrastructure, and a young, tech-savvy workforce. This positions the country as an attractive market for Dutch firms looking to expand into ASEAN. Trade between the Philippines and the European Union is growing, with the EU being a major trading partner, boosted by the GSP+ scheme.
The Netherlands plays a pivotal role as a trading hub, facilitating the entry of various Philippine products like electronics, coconut products, bananas, tuna, and garments into Europe. The Philippines boasts one of the fastest-growing digital economies in Southeast Asia, with rapid advancements in digital payments, e-commerce, and technology services—providing ample opportunities for Dutch investors in fintech and smart urban solutions. Additionally, the shift toward a sustainable and circular economy opens up opportunities in renewable energy and sustainable resource management, where Dutch companies excel in areas like water technology and offshore wind. We anticipate that our collaboration will yield both economic and environmental benefits.
As we pursue food security, we can leverage Dutch expertise in smart agriculture and water management. Our partnership transforms lives and shapes the future for our people. Dutch investments enhance our workforce in key sectors like manufacturing, services, and agriculture, while also bringing advanced innovations in technologies such as semiconductors and sustainable practices. The Netherlands and the Philippines exemplify a partnership between a global gateway and a dynamic emerging market, combining experience in logistics and sustainability with growth and talent. The message is clear: Europe must strengthen its presence in Asia to maintain its innovation and industrialization advantages.
The Philippines has the potential to foster innovation-driven industries, act as a strategic trade route, and promote sustainable development. Historically, global transitions reward regions that plan ahead. The free trade agreement with the European Union is transforming our relationship from a traditional trade partnership to a strategic alliance focused on sustainability, security, and shared prosperity, encompassing good governance, economic resilience, and exclusivity.
