THE Ambassador of Germany to the Philippines sees a huge potential for cooperation between her country and Negros Occidental as well as its capital Bacolod City.
Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel, who was in the province Wednesday, October 13, 2021, said she was really impressed to find such a huge cooperation potential here.
Reiffenstuel said there is an interest in increasing the renewable energy sector here and this is something the German business, economy and partners are interested in.
“It’s too early to say this but I am happy that I could take back this feedback and input I got this morning during the exchange with the mayor and city executives to our business partners, and to follow up with our headquarters and to report back on these experiences,” she added.
The German envoy said this during her courtesy visit to Mayor Evelio Leonardia and other city officials at the Bacolod City Government Center.
She was accompanied by German Embassy Political Advisor Lanz Paningbatan.
Leonardia said he is happy that Reiffenstuel told him that Bacolod is one of the cities she is prioritizing visiting.
The mayor said the ambassador is exploring possibilities, including investments, and told her that Bacolod has been consistently included in the annual list of the Most Business-Friendly Cities in the Philippines.
The recognition was given by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the biggest organization of business leaders in the country.
As for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) being a global pandemic, Leonardia also pointed out to the ambassador that this is the time that they are going to ride the road to recovery and that they should be exchanging notes and comparing their situation with that of Germany so that they can learn from each other.
“She was very receptive to that,” Leonardia said.
“As we travel towards that road to recovery, we would like to get some tips from the German Embassy, like if there are some programs that we can implement here that can speed up our recovery from the pandemic,” the mayor added.
Reiffenstuel thanked the local officials for welcoming her to this “beautiful city.”
“It’s my first time here, to learn about the country, the dynamics of the country, what Negros (Occidental) and Bacolod are contributing to the economy of the country, to the politics, and to the society of the country,” she said.
“It is a learning experience to meet people and organizations here. I have to come back because I have so much more to know and to see,” she added.
The ambassador also visited Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.
The officials talked about business and investment opportunities as well as tourism promotion for the province.
Reiffenstuel was assigned to the German Embassy in Manila in August 2019.
She has worked in the diplomatic service since 1993. Her postings included the German embassies in Berlin, London, New Delhi, and Cairo. (APN with reports from PR)