President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Concludes Successful State Visit to the Czech Republic
Prague – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wrapped up his three-day state visit to the Czech Republic on Friday with a meeting with the Filipino community in Prague. The president, accompanied by First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos, received a warm welcome from the members of the Filipino community at the Clarion Congress Hotel.
Thriving Filipino Community in the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has become a second home to 7,026 Filipino workers, who are employed in various sectors such as the processing industry, automotive, repairs and appliances, manufacturing, information technology communications, real estate, health/wellness, and household services. This thriving Filipino community has greatly contributed to the Czech economy.
Since 2018, the Czech government has implemented an economic migration program that allows for the entry and stay of Filipino workers in the country. The program started with an annual quota of 1,000 Filipino workers in 2018, which increased to 2,000 per year from 2021. The quota further increased to 2,500 per year from November 2022, and by January 2024, it will reach 5,500 per year. The Czech government recently announced that the quota will be further increased to 10,300 per year starting from May 2024, marking a significant 900 percent increase from the initial quota in 2018.
Productive Meetings and Opportunities for Partnership
During his visit, President Marcos Jr. had the opportunity to meet with Czech President Petr Pavel and other top officials of the Czech government. In addition, he also held a meeting with Czech companies, where he extended an invitation for them to invest in the Philippines and explore potential partnerships.
Speaking to reporters, President Marcos Jr. expressed his satisfaction with the visit, describing it as “productive.” He highlighted the potential for collaboration between the Philippines and the Czech Republic, stating, “We discovered many other things that have potential. I will not say that this will definitely happen, but there is potential for a partnership between the Philippines and the Czech Republic.” He further expressed his delight in being in Prague, describing it as a beautiful city that resembles a fairytale town.
Conclusion of the State Visit
President Marcos Jr. and his delegation departed Prague on Friday evening and are expected to arrive in Manila on Saturday afternoon. The visit has strengthened the ties between the Philippines and the Czech Republic, fostering opportunities for economic cooperation and further enhancing the flourishing Filipino community in the Czech Republic.
Source: The Manila Times