“These two values are ingrained in our DNA as Swiss. Throughout our history, Switzerland has found itself embracing innovation and sustainability as a way of life. This is reflected not just in our citizens, but even in the manner we run our private and public sectors.”
— Swiss Ambassador Alain Gaschen
By EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN — Scitech and Digital News
GRAND HYATT MANILA, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila — The Embassy of Switzerland today, October 24, 2022, celebrated 65 years of bilateral ties with the Philippines led by Swiss Ambassador Alain Gaschen.
In recognition of the milestone the embassy mounted a Swiss Innovation Exhibit in this 5-star hotel bannered by 11 of the European Union (EU) country’s top companies, such as Buhler, DDC Land, Holcim, Nestle, Novateur, Novartis, Roche, SGS, SATECO, SIKA, and TetraPak.
He noted that 2022 marks the 65th Anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Switzerland and the Philippines. The embassy partnered with the Swiss F
Highlighted in the exhibit are the Swiss values of “cultivating innovation and committing to sustainability” in the event’s panel discussions and the barrier-breaking and game-changing tech innovations by the 11 companies featured at the exhibit.
To emphasize the two values more, the embassy and its partner for the exhibit, the Swiss Cultural Fund (SCF), the activities’ aim is to “portray innovation and sustainability as the exhibit’s 11 companies have the unmistakable Swiss roots and connections.
“These two values are ingrained in our DNA as Swiss,” Gaschen emphasizes. “Throughout our history, Switzerland has found itself embracing innovation and sustainability as a way of life. This is reflected not just in our citizens, but even in the manner we run our private and public sectors.”
Make no mistake about it, as a news release from the exhibit showed, for the past 12 years the EU member country has been “ranked as the world’s most innovative country, “a testament to the work the Swiss continue to excel on in the field.”
The Swiss ambassador described the three-day exhibit as “building the future” which the embassy mounted in partnership with SCF.
Some of the Swiss companies at the exhibit:
“‘Building the Future, Together,’ is more than just the name of our exhibit,” he emphasized. “It is a commitment that we reiterate between our two countries as we discover new solutions and tools that would address the challenges the world faces today,” Gaschen says.
For the duration of the event experts in the field be featured in panel discussions on research and development (R&D), innovation, and sustainability, as well as members of the public and private sectors.
Solutions for the world’s problems today are being highlighted through the 11 companies and exhibitors’ work, the new release said, adding the participating firms’ achievements in their particular fields “are made more significant” because the companies “share both a Swiss and Filipino identity” for the reason that most of them have long been operating in the Philippines.
Gaschen lauded the 11 firms’ enthusiasm as partners of the event. “Resolutions to the issues we face today will not just be addressed by one group but will be a result of strong partnerships and continued collaboration as we continue to build our future, together.”
It can be recalled the Philippines and Switzerland established diplomatic relations on August 30, 1956, but actually already had interactions between the two countries going back to the early 1800s. This was when the voyages of Swiss traders, missionaries and travelers brought them into Southeast Asia.
Then the idea to open an official Swiss representation in the country saw the light in 1851. Around 11 years later, the two countries opened an honorary consulate in Manila. Thus, started the two countries’ exchanges then focusing on economic, cultural, social and political aspects. (/)