It was a great honour to welcome into Scotland a high-level delegation from the Philippines, led by Giovanni Carlo Jr. Bacordo, Junior Minister and Undersecretary of State at the Department of Energy, for a trade mission aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new economic opportunities in energy. They recognise Scotland as being world leaders in offshore wind and port developments whilst recognising the need for balanced energy.
Arriving into Edinburgh Airport the delegation were officially welcomed by Dr Liz Cameron CBE. The day began by highlighting Scottish business excellence and the strength of the Chamber Network with a day that blended diplomacy, heritage, and innovation.
As part of the cultural welcome, the delegation was treated to a VIP tour of Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish National War Memorial, and St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh. A walk through the grounds of Holyrood Palace gave a chance for reflection on the history of devolved government, with views of the Scottish Parliament.
The afternoon shifted to Scotland’s modern spirit of innovation with a visit to Holyrood Distillery, where the delegation sampled cocktails crafted from new-make spirits and learned about the distillery’s experimental approach to whisky and gin production.
To cap off the day, the delegation visited the Elephant House Café, the birthplace of the Harry Potter series – a fantastic example of the rich cultural output that continues to draw global visitors to Scotland.
The visit marked a significant step in fostering deeper ties between the Philippines and Scotland, with a full week of detailed meetings, visiting Ports, and businesses across Inverness and Aberdeen from various sectors.
Day 2 kicked off with roundtable meetings at St. Andrews House where we exchanged information, advice and expertise with Filipino and Scottish Government officials. We then moved on to the Scotland Office at QEH hearing from the Department of Business and Trade, Global, Forth Green Freeport, and SCC representatives involved in port design and management.
These sessions showcased strong potential for UK-Philippines collaboration in renewable energy and port innovation, laying the foundation for impactful future partnerships.
On Day 3, the group had a fantastic experience at both Port of Nigg, Global and Ardersier Port, Haventus gaining deeper insight into Scotland’s leading offshore energy sector. Scotland is proud to have welcomed a Philippine government delegation – for the first time – to explore our key energy ports and unlock the potential for transformative international partnerships.
This visit is not just symbolic. It marks a milestone in cross-border cooperation as we highlight Scotland’s world-leading renewable energy expertise: from offshore wind to cutting-edge port infrastructure that supports a green energy future.
Through building strong business relationships and government engagement, we are laying the groundwork for joint innovation, shared learning, and sustainable investment that benefits both nations. Our legacy of clean energy innovation meets the Philippines’ dynamic ambitions – together, the opportunities are limitless.
Our job is clear – to connect Scotland’s renewable energy legacy with the Philippines’ future-facing energy vision – for the benefit of communities and our economies.
