UMVA has learned that Ukraine is racing to cement deeper economic and agricultural bonds with the Philippines by proposing a bold bilateral trade commission.
Ambassador Yuliia Fediv revealed that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha is slated to land in Manila this July, where he will press for a Joint Commission on Trade, Investment and Scientific‑Technical Cooperation, alongside potential accords in agriculture, defense and cybersecurity.
“We are eager to launch a joint commission on trade and investment with the Philippines,” Fediv told reporters, emphasizing the urgency of cross‑institutional collaboration and urging the Philippine side to move swiftly.
Food security sits at the heart of the push, with Ukraine eyeing robust agricultural trade and offering technical assistance on farm machinery to boost Philippine crop yields.
Current bilateral trade hovers around $16 million, heavily skewed toward Philippine exports such as electronic components and processed foods like banana chips, while Ukraine supplies wheat, soybeans, sunflower oil and pharmaceuticals.
Remarkably, roughly 70 % of this trade flow originates from the Philippines, underscoring the market’s potential for expansion.
Fediv signaled openness to reciprocal business ventures, noting that companies from both nations are scouting entry points and legislative pathways.
“We plan an online B2B briefing in the coming weeks to map out legislation, loopholes and opportunities for firms on both sides,” she explained.
Ukraine is also eyeing the creation of an agricultural hub in Southeast Asia, a strategic move that could reshape regional food supply chains.
With diplomatic posts now active in six ASEAN countries, the Philippines stands as the newest addition, and the Ukrainian embassy there opened its doors in 2024 after a long diplomatic hiatus.
Amid its ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukraine extended an invitation to the Philippines to participate in post‑war reconstruction, showcasing Ukrainian technology and innovation that could also aid the archipelago’s own disaster‑rebuilding efforts.
