Belgian ambassador to lead trade mission to Davao City and Mati, join Cacao Fiesta

A Belgian delegation led by Ambassador Vladislava Iordanova will visit Davao City and Mati City, Davao Oriental, from November 10 to 13, 2026, to strengthen economic ties and look for new areas of cooperation in Mindanao, according to Mindanao Times.

The mission, organised by the Embassy of Belgium in Manila with its Team Belgium partners, will feature the participation of the Belgian and Dutch ambassadors in the Cacao Fiesta at the Kennemer Cacao Development Center in Mati City. The gathering of the Philippine cacao community is held twice a year and is organised by Puratos Philippines, headed by President and Managing Director Bernard Poplimont.

The event draws farmers, cooperatives, industry leaders, government agencies, academe and development partners. It aims to mark the growth of the local cacao industry and present Mindanao as a source of world-class cacao. It also highlights Belgian and Dutch involvement in the sector through the Belgium-based Puratos Group and Kennemer Foods International, which was founded by Dutch entrepreneur Simon Bakker, the Honorary Consul of the Netherlands in Davao.

Joining the delegation are embassy representatives; Claudio Nilo, Honorary Consul of Belgium in Davao; Mia Abela, head of the Belgian Trade Office in Manila; the Belgian-Luxembourg Filipino Business Chamber; Belgian development partners; and private-sector stakeholders.

According to the report, the group will meet government, business and community leaders in Davao and Davao Oriental to present Belgian expertise in sustainable agriculture, responsible business practices and inclusive growth. The visit is also meant to strengthen trade and investment links and encourage innovation.

The mission comes as Belgium and the Philippines mark 80 years of diplomatic relations.