Security Bank Corporation (SBC) and Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG) hosted a joint Business Matching Fair on Wednesday, February 22, at Makati Shangri-La Hotel – the first of its kind in the Philippines.

PROMOTING CROSS-BORDER OPPORTUNITIES

Business Matching helps create new business opportunities with potential partners. It is seen to be an effective platform to bolster economic prospects amidst strong ties between Japan and the Philippines.

 With the Business Matching Fair, Security Bank and MUFG show a proactive commitment to be key drivers for each other’s economies. The full-day networking session for the Bank’s corporate clients aims to cultivate business collaboration between the Philippines and Japan. Furthermore, the Business Matching Fair highlights the growth and attractiveness of the country’s economy and helps drive foreign investments to the Philippines.

The Business Matching Fair was participated by clients from various sectors: FMCG products (distribution and manufacturing), healthcare and medical equipment, real estate development, agriculture and seafood products among others. Close to 200 meetings between the banks’ 87 Japanese, Philippine and Southeast Asian corporate clients were arranged, 53 of which were Japanese, 31 Philippine, two Thai (from Krungsri Bank) and one Vietnamese (from VietinBank).

The business matching sessions ended with a toast ceremony and cocktail reception attended by industry leaders. Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa and Minister for Economic Affairs of the Embassy of Japan Makoto Iyori graced the event. Secretary of Trade and Industry Ramon Lopez addressed the importance of strengthening Japanese-Filipino business ties. PEZA Director General Charito Booc Plaza also gave a well-meaning message to the Japanese and Filipino delegates present.

ADVANCING THE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

 The Business Matching Fair is a major area of collaboration following the one year anniversary of the strategic partnership of the best banks of the Philippines and Japan.

The combined strengths of Security Bank and MUFG spawn opportunities for Asian corporates, most especially for Philippine and Japanese businesses. MUFG is one of the world’s leading financial groups with a presence in the Philippines that dates back to over 60 years. On the other hand, Security Bank is one of the Philippines’ leading universal banks with a fast-growing loan portfolio that continues to be the one of the best sources of business and retail loans in the country.

With MUFG and Security Bank’s businesses mutually complementing each other, the strategic partnership is expected to generate more comprehensive financial services to multiple industries.

“Our partnership with MUFG helps facilitate cooperation and provides access to the global marketplace for our clients; our combined strengths now serve as an avenue for Japanese and Filipino businesses to meet and discuss how to further develop opportunities that will help our economies,” said SBC President and Chief Executive Officer Alfonso Salcedo, Jr.

“The Philippine market is very important to MUFG and our strategic alliance with SBC helps us better reach out to local corporates here and support Japanese investment within the country.  By jointly hosting this first-ever networking session, we hope to foster new relationships and contribute to greater business collaboration between companies from both countries,” said MUFG Manila Branch General Manager Tadahiro Miyamoto.

 Security Bank will continue to provide its customers with better access to the global marketplace. Equipped with a vast portfolio of investments and opportunities and its BetterBanking promise, Security Bank is more than ready to play an integral role in further strengthening the Philippines’ robust economy.