Slovakia expands Philippines auto partnership, eyes nuclear cooperation

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Highlights

Power Stroke Motor Products Corp. and Slovakia's PowerXtender launched a partnership to supply Philippine automotive providers with a battery-extending liquid additive and technology transfer.
Slovakia is exploring nuclear energy cooperation with the Philippines, offering expertise as about 75% of its electricity comes from reactors and related technology.
Philippine-Slovak trade stands at 80 million euros (P5.65 billion), representing early-stage cooperation with aims for broader trade and strategic regional partnership.

Automotive partnership and technology plans

As reported by BusinessWorld Online, Power Stroke Motor Products Corp. and Slovakia-based PowerXtender on Saturday launched a cooperation to supply Philippine automotive providers with a liquid additive designed to extend car battery life.

Juraj Blanár, Slovakia's minister of Foreign and European Affairs, said on the sidelines of the launch that the Slovak company is prepared not only to sell its products in the Philippines but also to transfer its technology. Joselito R. Tulao, general manager of Power Stroke, said the tie-up offers a chance to strengthen bilateral relations, adding that Slovak products remain relatively unfamiliar in the local market.

Mr. Tulao said the PowerXtender agreement is only the beginning of longer-term Philippine-Slovak investment and partnership, with Juliana Holdings, Inc. ready to support expansion into industries beyond the initial automotive cooperation. Mr. Blanár also said Slovakia wants to build people-to-people and academic links with Manila, with exchanges in views, research and workers among Bratislava's priorities.

Trade diversification and regional opportunities

Mr. Blanár said nuclear energy is another area for possible cooperation, noting that about 75% of Slovakia's electricity comes from reactors. He said Slovakia can offer expertise, engineering exchanges and laboratory capabilities, including work related to fuel decommissioning, as part of future cooperation in advanced technology.

Philippine-Slovak trade totals only about 80 million euros, or P5.65 billion, which Mr. Blanár described as a small share of the Philippine economy and a sign that cooperation remains at an early stage. Philippine external trade reached $24.90 billion, or P1.59 trillion, in September.

Ma. Ella C. Oplas, an economics professor at De La Salle University, said a partnership with Slovakia opens a new market and could create opportunities to expand trade links with the European Union. She said Philippine companies still need to study regulations, product certification, consumer preferences and distribution networks because standards are high, while the Philippines could serve as a strategic market and distribution hub for Slovak innovations in Southeast Asia.

The Philippines also backed Slovakia's accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Sunday. Mr. Blanár said Slovakia is also pursuing trade diversification because about 80% of its current market activity is within the European Union, making stronger diplomatic and political ties with the Philippines part of that strategy.

Previously, we outlined the main factors behind Bangladesh fruit exports reaching $126.35 million as the EPB pushed market expansion.

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