IN PHOTOS: Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto met with senior officials of SMBC and SMBC Nikko on June 21, 2024 at their Tokyo headquarters to explore opportunities for investments and collaboration in the country’s fundraising activities.

SMBC is a leading Japanese bank, and SMBC Nikko is a top Japanese securities firm that engages in the operation of large-scale comprehensive securities broking and trading services.

SMBC has supported the Philippines’ international financing efforts, including past Samurai bond issuances and co-hosting of Philippine Economic Briefings in Japan, such as the recent event on June 21.

The senior officials congratulated Secretary Recto on the successful briefing in Tokyo, which was attended by over 500 Japanese business leaders, investors, and Philippine government officials.

They highlighted that the Philippines has performed very well in the region due to the great leadership of the Marcos, Jr. administration.

Moreover, they expressed eagerness to support the country’s future issuances of Samurai and US dollar bonds and reaffirmed SMBC’s commitment to continue investing in the Philippines.

Secretary Recto thanked them for hosting the Philippine Economic Briefing in Tokyo and acknowledged SMBC Nikko’s significant role in facilitating financing for Japanese investors in the Philippines.

He also expressed gratitude for its initiative to conduct a training program for the Bureau of the Treasury’s (BTr) personnel to enhance their understanding of finance and administration from a corporate banking perspective.

During the visit, Secretary Recto toured SMBC Nikko’s office and trading floor.

Among the key SMBC Group officials present during the meeting were Honorary Special Adviser to the Board of SMBC Nikko and a board member of SMFG Yasuyuki Kawasaki; Senior Management Executive Officer / Co-head of Global Banking Unit of SMBC Yoshihiro Hyakutome; Senior Management Executive Officer / Head of Global Capital Market of SMBC Nikko Tatsuya Suzuki; Managing Director and Philippine Country Head of SMBC Yasuhi Iwata; and Managing Director and Head of Debt Capital Market of SMBC Nikko Hiroyuki Kinoshita.

Joining Secretary Recto were Department of Finance (DOF) Undersecretaries Maria Luwalhati Dorotan-Tiuseco and Domini S. Velasquez and National Treasurer Sharon P. Almanza.