The Philippines and Germany are expected to sign agreements on maritime sector cooperation and technical and vocational education and training during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s working visit to Germany next week, the foreign affairs department said on Friday.

President Marcos’ visit to Germany and Czech Republic will focus on bolstering trade and investment, as well as extending invitation to German and Czech companies to increase their presence in the Philippines, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Elena Algabre of the Office of European Affairs said in a press briefing with the Malacañang.

“In Germany, in terms of government-to-government agreements, there will be a joint declaration of intent on strengthening cooperation in the maritime sector, which will be signed by both countries’ transportation agencies,” Algabre told reporters.

“These JDIs seek to facilitate maritime trade and mobility of Philippine and German-owned commercial vessels,” she pointed out.

According to the foreign affairs official, there will be a signing of a cooperation program between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), which seeks to continue TESDA-BIBB’s partnership on technical and vocational education and training or TVET.

Also part of the President’s itinerary includes attending business fora to be participated in by prominent German business leaders and major companies intending to take advantage of the Philippines’ continuing impressive economic performance and conducive investment environment, Algabre said.

While in Germany, the President will also meet with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to personally share his administration’s plans and programs for them and to reaffirm the Philippine government’s agenda and commitment to supporting overseas Filipinos.

Germany and the Philippines commemorate this year 70 years of bilateral relations, which were established on October 8, 1954. PND