Sweden offers expertise in airport development

MANILA, Philippines — Sweden is offering a partnership with the Philippines for the development of airports in the country, Swedish State Secretary Oscar Stenstrom said.

According to Stenstrom, the Swedish government is putting the Philippines in the driving seat for expanding trade relations.

“We took a new policy back in 2015 to be more engaged in areas where we see huge potential for expanding trade, and the Philippines is on that priority list,” Stenstrom said in an interview with The STAR.

Stenstrom, deputy minister of trade and EU Affairs, headed a delegation to Manila that visited last week to see the areas where Sweden can collaborate in transportation and aeronautics.

“The main focus of this trip to the Philippines is infrastructure and aeronautics, airport management, infrastructure surrounding the airport and air traffic management,” Stenstrom said. “We have companies big and small providing both goods and services which is valuable to upgrade airports.”

Sweden is looking at Clark International Airport and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, 2 and 3 for airport development projects.

Ambassador Harald Fries said Sweden is also looking at other airports being developed and modernized around the country.

“These (Swedish) companies are offering smart solutions,” Fries said.

Stenstrom met with Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and other Philippine officials and discussed the facilitation of trade between the two countries.

“There are trade barriers like entrance to the market, how the customs is working, better understanding of the rules, but also the national branding for Swedish companies to understand the opportunities here in the Philippines, and also for Philippine investors to find information about possible innovation,” he added.