PTIC-Paris' Commercial Counsellor and Director Katrina Banzon (center) alongside industry experts during the panel discussion: Supporting Critical Minerals to Manufacturing Value Chains
PTIC-Paris’ Commercial Counsellor and Director Katrina Banzon (center) alongside industry experts during the panel discussion: Supporting Critical Minerals to Manufacturing Value Chains 

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Paris (PTIC-Paris)—its representative office based in France covering Italy—advances the Philippines’ trade and investment agenda centered on sustainable growth and industrial transformation in two side events of the 58th Asian Development Bank (ADB) Annual Meeting held in Milan, Italy from 4 to 6 May 2025. 

At the ADB-organized Side Event: “Supporting Critical Minerals to Manufacturing Value Chains”, held on 6 May 2025, PTIC-Paris’ Commercial Counsellor and Director Katrina Banzon highlighted the unique position of the Philippines as a reliable partner in the global supply chain for clean energy and technologies. She underscored the country’s rich endowment of critical minerals, the importance of sustainable and responsible mining practices, business friendly policies, and investment-ready areas such as the Leyte Ecological Industrial Zone. While the country’s critical minerals reserves remain highly untapped, she placed emphasis on and encouraged upstream investments that contribute to regional and global value chain diversification, particularly in support of solar energy, electric vehicle, battery/ energy storage, and semiconductor manufacturing. 

This discussion sparked interest from various international stakeholders, including firms from Germany and France, as well as development partners such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), among others, reflecting the growing recognition of the country’s position as the world’s supplier of nickel and other green minerals, and role in the transition to green, sustainable, and resilient economies. ♦

Date of Release: 19 May 2025

Related posts:

PTIC Dubai promotes upcoming UAE business mission to Manila The Philippine delegation led by Director General Theo Panga (6th from right) of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Vice Consul (Commercial) Froilan Pamintuan (5th from left) of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Guangzhou (PTIC Guangzhou) with some business guests at the sidelines of the Philippine Forum in Xiamen co-organized with Aboitiz InfraCapital.Public-private partnership attracts more Chinese investors to do biz in PH Philippine Fashion takes spotlight at Centrestage in Hong Kong PTIC-Madrid Promotes PH Trade, Boosts Spain-SEA Connectivity at Algeciras Port WorkshopPTIC-Madrid Promotes PH Trade, Boosts Spain-SEA Connectivity at Algeciras Port Workshop Foreign Trade Service Officer Jeremiah C. Reyes at the panel discussion on regional approach to creative economyDTI Foreign Trade Service Corps champions Philippine Creative Economy at ASEAN-UK symposium in Malaysia Philippines introduces GEMS strategy at the NEV Supply Chain Conference in China  PTIC-Paris successfully holds the Philippine economic dialogue in Milan In photo:  Guodong Group Sales Representative Ning Li (leftmost); Guodong Group Chief Executive Officer Longke Hu (second from left); DTI-IPG Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo, DPA (third from left); DTI-FTSC Regional Coordinator for Chinas and East Asia Melody Dicen (rightmost)DTI seeks stronger partnerships in telecom and infra, meets with Guodong Group