Prime Minister’s Official Residence
Brussels
16 September 2014
President Benigno S. Aquino III held a meeting with Belgium’s Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo as he continued the second day of his Working Visit to the European Union and the Kingdom of Belgium.
In trade relations, Belgium has been a significant partner of the Philippines, with exports amounting to US$302 million and imports reaching US$288 million in 2012. Belgium ranked as the 20th market for Philippine exports in 2012.
In foreign direct investments (FDIs), Belgium’s investment reached P260.27 million in 2011 while investments in the fields of manufacturing and public administration for 2012 totalled Php26.90 million.
On humanitarian aid, the Belgian government was one of the first countries to send a contingent of 40 doctors and nurses from the Belgium First Aid and Support Team (B-Fast), medical relief goods, a field hospital and mobile water treatment to the devastated provinces of Typhoon Haiyan on 12 November 2013. Total official Belgian assistance has reached 2.53 million euros while donations from private entities and non-government organizations (NGOs) have reached 10.5 million euros.
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