President Marcos thanked Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands for her support in enhancing inclusive finance and financial health in the Philippines.
As the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate (UNSGSA) for Inclusive Finance for Development, Queen Máxima pledged assistance in improving connectivity, cybersecurity, digitization, and interoperable payments, focusing on underserved groups such as farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“Well, that’s a very, very handsome offer. Thank you very much, Your Majesty,” President Marcos said during Queen Máxima’s courtesy call at Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, May 22.
President Marcos mentioned ongoing projects to improve internet connectivity in the Philippines and affirmed the country’s capacity to address these issues.
Queen Máxima’s visit from May 21 to 23 marks her second trip to the Philippines as UNSGSA, following her 2015 visit for the launch of the Philippines’ National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NFSI).
The NFSI is a government action plan designed to ensure coordinated efforts in policy-making and program implementation for financial inclusion.