LED BY Her Excellency Ambassador Vladislava Iordanova, the Embassy of Belgium in Manila and its Team Belgium partners will undertake a mission to Davao City and Mati City, Davao Oriental, from Nov. 10 to 13, 2026, to deepen economic ties, strengthen development partnerships, and explore new opportunities for collaboration in Mindanao.
A key highlight of the mission will be the participation of the Belgian and Dutch Ambassadors in the Cacao Fiesta, a biannual gathering of the Philippine cacao community organized by Puratos Philippines, under the leadership of President and Managing Director Bernard Poplimont, at the Kennemer Cacao Development Center in Mati City. The event highlights the strong Belgian and Dutch contributions to the Philippine cacao sector through partners such as the Belgium-based Puratos Group and Kennemer Foods International, founded by Dutch entrepreneur and Honorary Consul of the Netherlands in Davao Simon Bakker.
Bringing together farmers, cooperatives, industry leaders, government agencies, academe, and development partners, the Cacao Fiesta celebrates the growth of the Philippine cacao industry and showcases Mindanao’s emergence as a producer of world-class cacao.
The delegation includes representatives from the Embassy of Belgium in Manila; Claudio Nilo, Honorary Consul of Belgium in Davao; Mia Abela, Head of the Belgian Trade Office in Manila; the Belgian-Luxembourg Filipino Business Chamber (BFBC); Belgian development partners; and Belgian private-sector stakeholders. Throughout the mission, the delegation will engage with government, business, and community leaders in Davao and Davao Oriental, highlighting Belgian expertise and partnerships in sustainable agriculture, responsible business practices, and inclusive economic growth.
The mission will also provide opportunities to strengthen trade and investment linkages, promote innovation, and foster greater collaboration between Belgian and Philippine stakeholders. As Belgium and the Philippines celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations, the visit underscores the enduring friendship and growing cooperation between the two countries. Through this mission, Belgium reaffirms its commitment to supporting a resilient, prosperous, and inclusive future for Mindanao.
