Economic diplomacy & honorary consul generals

In July 1992, then President Fidel V. Ramos directed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to pursue aggressive economic diplomacy as part of an all out effort to attract trade and investments into the Philippines. President Ramos himself led business delegations which came to be known as Philippines Inc. on his official visits abroad. Both Trade and Industry Secretary Roy Navarro and I were firm believers in this effort particularly because we were in the business sector before joining the government. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and DFA worked “hand in glove” during these Presidential trips and road shows. We even held joint conferences in Europe and the United States so that our ambassadors and our commercial attaches could formulate joint efforts in economic diplomacy. 

Honorary Consul Generals were also invited to these conferences. In Europe, in particular, we had an effective honorary consular corps who represented affluent and respected members of their respective business communities. DTI, during those conferences, presented to our ambassadors and the consul generals the opportunities in trade and investment and how to promote it. The following year, with DTI participation, DFA hosted in Manila a more global meeting for honorary consul generals. They were also taken to Cebu, Subic and Clark. The feedback from the embassies indicated that the attendees welcomed this regular dialogue with DTI and DFA officials and they became highly motivated to promote our cause. Aside from the protection of OFWs, they realized that trade and investment promotion should also be prioritized.    

The European honorary consul generals were truly an impressive lot. Much time has passed and I cannot remember all their achievements. However, I would like to cite one individual, Dr. Stephen Zuellig, who was our honorary consul general in Monaco. His coverage effectively covered Monaco and neighboring France since our ambassador in Paris relied on him for assistance and advice. He was one of our most effective with achievements in trade, investment and culture. As proof positive, he was decorated three times by President Ramos and Arroyo. During his 92nd birthday in May 2009, former President Ramos revealed for the first time that Dr. Zuellig was instrumental in recovering the Marcos funds deposited in Swiss banks. There were many others who performed credibly and with dedication as our representatives during my time. I was particularly pleased to learn that to this day our ambassadors and honorary consul generals continue to work together. 

Our croatian honorary consul general

Last April, I was in Croatia for 10 days and met our honorary consul general, Mr. Davor Stern, a charming and knowledgeable gentleman. It was our former ambassador to Austria and Croatia, Linglingay Lacanlale who introduced me to him. I immediately checked his credentials by going to Google: “He was a Deputy Minister of Economy from 1994 until 1995, when he was promoted to Minister. He held that office until 1997. Currently, Stern is a member of the INA supervisory board and a director of the Zagreb Trade Consulting Company. He is reputed to be one of Croatia’s wealthiest people.”

In 2009, Ambassador Lacanlale (now our ambassador in Bangkok) emailed me and asked if I could contact Ricky Razon of ICTSI regarding a potential port operations opportunity in Croatia. She further recommended that Davor Stern be introduced to him so that he could assist Razon in this venture. I relayed to Razon the Ambassador’s recommendations. Secretary Alberto Romulo also visited Croatia and called on the President, Stjepan Mesica and suggested that a joint venture with ICTSI would be an excellent vehicle for bilateral cooperation.

During our visit last April, I learned that an agreement was signed: “ICTSI and Luka Rijeka (LR), Croatia’s largest marine services and logistics provider, signed a 30-year strategic partnership for the management of the Adriatic Gate Container Terminal, a unit of LR and the existing terminal operator of the Bradjica Container Terminal in Rijeka.” In my opinion, that was a classic example of economic diplomacy. The ambassador was “on the ball” and triggered everything by introducing the right individual, our honorary consul general to Ricky Razon. It was then followed up by a ministerial call on the President by Secretary Romulo. Parenthetically, we need more Razons who have the entrepreneurial guts to go after business abroad. He is a hard-nosed businessman with an acerbic personality but known to be a man of his word.

I believe the relationship between Davor _tern and ICTSI clearly made a difference in the transaction. I also know that _tern brought Razon to meet the President of Croatia. I was told that the President was impressed by Razon’s comments on tourism and the presidential staff has been instructed to study further. While in Zagreb with _tern, he expressed keen interest in finding other business potential from the Philippines. My travel companion and host, Jorge Araneta promised to look into it and would get back to him. Clearly, Mr. _tern is a role model for honorary consul generals. I hope that our recently confirmed ambassadors will keep him in mind when they make their selection in their jurisdiction. Kudos to Davor _tern! Many thanks indeed for helping the Philippine cause.

DFA’s focus on economic diplomacy, along with the adoption of the country team approach, has proven to be an effective and enduring model in promoting trade and investment opportunities in support of DTI initiatives. Recently confirmed Secretary Albert del Rosario told me that economic diplomacy will continue to be a priority, reinforced by a related performance plan for all ambassadors. With the new Foreign Secretary and Trade and Industry Secretary Greg Domingo as the lead partner in trade and investment, I am optimistic that the economic growth curve of the Philippines will be on an upward swing.

Resignation of Secretary Jose de Jesus

I suspect that he resigned due to policy differences or his strict adherence to good governance or both. It is a regrettable loss for the government which may also de-motivate other seasoned professionals from joining the public sector.