PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE ANNOUNCES UNIBET AS OFFICIAL SPORTSBOOK AND BETTING PARTNER OF PFL EUROPE IN THE UK AND FRANCE

NEW YORK (February 15, 2024) - The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest growing and most innovative sports league, today announced UNIBET as the official sportsbook and betting partner of PFL Europe in the UK and France in 2024 and 2025. 

The two-year partnership kicks off at the 2024 PFL Europe Paris event on Thursday, March 7 live from Accor Arena. PFL and UNIBET previously partnered at PFL Europe’s Paris event in 2023, which became the biggest MMA event in French TV history.  

“The PFL is proud to partner with UNIBET, the leading sportsbook for mixed martial arts across Europe,” said PFL SVP of International, James Frewin. “PFL Europe and UNIBET share many synergies, and we’re excited to provide fans across the UK and France an opportunity to enjoy a premium gaming experience."

UNIBET is part of the Kindred Group - which incorporates nine of Europe’s most successful online gambling brands - has established a strong presence in combat sports in both France and the UK, while its wider portfolio includes leading football clubs in the United Kingdom and Scandinavia as well as prestigious horse racing events.

Neil Banbury, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, Kindred Group, said: “It is always Kindred’s ambition to partner with ambitious, forward-looking sports organisations. The speed of PFL’s growth and its undoubted potential made this an easy choice from our perspective. We can’t wait to support the PFL on its evolution, and we’re counting down the days until our partnership officially begins.”

PFL is the only organization in MMA with the sports-season format, where individual fighters compete in a regular season, playoffs, and championship each year. The combined roster of PFL and Bellator boasts 30% of its fighters independently world-ranked in the top 25 of their respective weight class, the same percentage as UFC. PFL has an expansive global vision for the sport and is building the “Champions League of MMA” with PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and more international leagues in development. PFL leads in technology and innovation, with its proprietary PFL SmartCage, powering fight analytics, real-time betting, AI scoring, and a next-generation viewing experience. PFL is primetime on ESPN/ESPN+ in the U.S. and is broadcast and streamed in 150 countries with 20 premium media distribution partners.

DTI Chief: PH is Open for Business; Highlights the Country's Initiatives on Improving Ease of Doing Business

PARIS, FRANCE–During the roundtable meeting with MEDEF International, a non-profit private-funded organization composed of representatives from French businesses on 20 June 2023, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual presented the Philippines as an ideal investment destination with the aim of fostering potential partnerships and collaborations with French companies.

In his message, Secretary Pascual acknowledged that MEDEF International is instrumental in strengthening trade and investment relations between the Philippines and France.

"Recently, we witnessed the visit organized by MEDEF International for its members in the Philippines, where many of your companies participated. These developments indicate not only the interest and confidence of the French companies in the Philippines but also the strong relationship we enjoy at the business level", Secretary Pascual said.

Further, he emphasized that the Philippines is open for business and that the recent game-changing economic reforms such as the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE), amended Public Service Act (PSA), amended Foreign Investments Act (FIA), and the amended Retail Trade Liberalization Act are testaments to the country's goal of attracting global players who can modernize our domestic industry and service sectors while diversifying and expanding exports.

"With the reforms I highlighted, the Philippines has seen significant investments in various industries. Our Board of Investments (BOI) recorded a 200 percent surge in foreign investments in 2021, totaling EUR 11 billion across 235 projects. From 2020 to 2022, the Philippines received a total Net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Flow of USD 28 billion, with Europe accounting for a significant portion," he shared.

Likewise, he mentioned that the government has initiated to roll out the Philippine Business Hub (PBH), a platform that aims to simplify business transactions through digital and online processes.

"This initiative streamlines the registration of businesses, permit renewals, and other activities, making it easier and faster to conduct business in the Philippines," he added.

Most importantly, Secretary Pascual sought the support of French businesses in pursuit of one of the most important agenda of the Philippines with Europe, the renewal of the European Union Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (EU-GSP+) preferences and the resumption of the negotiation for the Philippines-European Union Free Trade Agreement (PH-EU FTA).

About thirteen (13) companies from various sectors such as finance, infrastructure, manufacturing, services, and transportation attended the roundtable meeting and expressed positive outlook toward the opportunities available in the Philippines for French businesses as presented by the delegation.

8th PHILIPPINES – FRANCE JOINT ECONOMIC COMMISSION (JEC) MEETING

28 June 2019 – MANILA, The Philippines – The Philippines and France vowed to closely collaborate on sectors of mutual interest thru promotion/more frequent business visits, technical capacity building exchanges in emerging industries, and promote greater trade and investments given the strong complementation of the two countries.

Capacity building programs for animation services, green design, content development, satellite development, and data sharing were among those identified during the said JEC, a high level economic dialogue platform which enables the Philippines to engage partner countries to discuss areas for trade, investment, business cooperation, and other related matters to advance bilateral economic ties.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon M. Lopez who together with French Secretary of State for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean Baptiste Lemoyne, opened the 8th Philippines-France Joint Economic Commission (JEC) also exhorted business leaders from both sides to engage their counterparts more frequently by exchanging business missions and participating in each other’s startup events and key trade expositions such as the DTI-CITEM organized Manila FAME and the International Food Exhibition.

In his address, Secretary Lopez encouraged France to “closely look into the vast opportunities for growth in trade and investment between our countries.”

Secretary Lopez cited the significant increase in trade and investment figures posted by both countries in 2018, but challenged the French to further engage their counterparts from the various Philippine business sectors considering the strong macro-economic performance of the country, and the opportunities already being aggressively explored by other investors from Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Middle East and the rest of Europe.

During the JEC, the Philippines also conveyed its interest to pursue cooperation with France in the areas of renewable energy, e-commerce, collaborative research and development, shipbuilding and buoy-making, auto-electronics, IC design, and electronics design with space legacy, including accessing technical expertise from France.

Possible cooperation ventures between Philippine and French entities were also identified, including a Memorandum of Understanding between ASCIEL Alliance Electronique and the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries of the Philippines, Inc. Foundation (SEIPI). Updates were also provided in the implementation of previously-signed agreements in the maritime industry, aerospace, infrastructure and transportation including feasibility study projects on cable cars and an international food terminal.

In 2018, total trade between the Philippines and France grew to USD2.64 billion, up by 52.43% from its 2017 level of USD1.73 billion.

Philippine exports to France in particular was up by 38.48%, from USD807.63 million in 2017 to USD1.118 billion in 2018.  Top items included vessels of transport, electronics products, and parts of airplanes. Philippine exports to France represents about 10% of total products sent to the EU.

French exports to the Philippines on the other hand was up by 64.63%, from USD924.81 in 2017 to USD1.522 billion in 2019.  The Philippines purchased airplanes and its parts, and medicaments from France in 2018.

The total trade figure placed France as the 15th largest country-trading partner of the Philippines, behind only two other EU countries - - Germany and the Netherlands.  France was also the country’s 16th largest country-source of products, and the Philippines’ 12th largest export destination.

The Joint Economic Commission meeting between the Philippines and France was co-chaired by DTI Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo, and French Ministry of Economy and Finance Deputy Director for Bilateral Affairs Christophe Bories.

It was participated in by representatives from the Philippine and French governments, Philippine business leaders and a delegation from the Mouvement des Enterprises de France - Internationale or MEDEF International, the French business confederation group that is considered the “most representative organisation of the French private sector at an international level.”

SEIPI to Promote PH Electronics Industry in France

THE Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. (SEIPI), in partnership with the Philippine Embassy in France, the Department of Science and Technology (DoST), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Export Marketing Bureau/PTIC, will spearhead the first Philippine electronics business mission to France on October 23 to 27, 2018.

The mission aims to directly promote the capabilities of the Philippine electronics sector to its foreign partners through proactive business engagements and partnerships with French companies and organizations like the Angers French Tech (AFT) and the Alliance Electronique (ACSIEL).

As part of an ongoing collaboration between the government and the private sector, the mission is also aligned with the electronics industry’s roadmap called the “Product and Technology Holistic Strategy” or  PATHS, which identifies niche products and technologies that the Philippines should be focusing on in the next five years.

Funded by the DTI, the PATHS study is administered by the DoST and implemented by SEIPI.

The first leg of the October mission serves as a response to Philippine Ambassador to France Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro’s invitation for SEIPI to conduct an electronics industry mission in Paris. Through the mission, SEIPI also aims to meet with the members of ACSIEL in order to facilitate technology exchange, business-to-business meetings, and investment opportunities.

The second leg of the mission, on the other hand, is the sealing of a partnership between SEIPI and Angers French Tech (AFT)—the local government’s thematic entity of the national French Tech initiative. It is also a program for French start-ups, investors, entrepreneurs, investors, developers, corporations, government agencies, and research institutes, encompassing all industries while advocating the digital technology called La French Tech.

The prelude to this partnership was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SEIPI and the AFT in DTI International-Manila last June. It will formalize their plans to set up a French Pavilion in the Philippine Semiconductor and Electronics Convention and Exhibition (PSECE) in 2019.

On October 26, 2018, meanwhile, both SEIPI and AFT will commit to a mutual promotion of events, such as an establishment of a virtual office of SEIPI in France.

The MOU is also one of the strategies of SEIPI to capture a bigger share in the Internet of Things (IOT), since France is one of the Philippines’ fastest growing exports market.

According to the DTI, Philippine exports increased by 9.89 percent from $734.93 million in 2016 to $807.63 million in 2017.

Dr. Dan Lachica, president of SEIPI, noted their member companies’ strong commitment to continuously facilitating technology exchange, business-to-business meetings, and bigger investment opportunities.

“SEIPI is in an aggressive mode to promote the Philippines as a reliable partner with inherent technical capabilities to take on the opportunities in global markets,” Lachica said.

“We are part of the significant value chain and the Philippines is a prime mover in the internet of things,” he added.

With the current performance of the electronics industry, which serves as the headliner of Philippine exports, the DTI-Trade and Investments Promotion Group (TIPG) aims to improve the collaboration between the government and the private sector to help shape the trajectory for the Philippine electronics export.

“Under the Philippine Export Development Plan, our focus is to provide substantial support for our export sectors, where the Philippines has a competitive advantage,” said DTI-TIPG Undersecretary Nora Terrado.

“We expect a stronger collaboration between the Philippines and France through this undertaking. We also aspire to generate higher value for goods that are manufactured in the country. This will allow our people to be at the forefront of technology and innovation to create high value jobs for our people,” she added.

The mission is part of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), which covers 2017 to 2022. It is also anchored with the strategies of the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP), covering 2018 to 2022.

The electronics industry remains as the country’s top exporter. In 2017, the country’s electronics exports posted a double digit growth of 11.16 percent at $36.54 billion—the highest in the industry’s history.

From January to August 2018, electronics exports reached $23.6 billion.  A 6-percent growth rate is also projected this year.

France, meanwhile, ranked as the country’s 13th market in 2017 with compound annual growth rate of 24 percent from 2013 to 2017, which was valued at $374.8 million.

Through the five-day mission, the Philippines aims to be recognized as one of the best providers of electronic products and services in the global industry.

The mission can also help foster business development or identification of new business leads.

But most importantly, it will help Filipinos gather information on best practices for emerging trends and industry developments within the electronics sector of France.

The Regent of Kelantan Attends ‘Kelantan: Splendeurs d’un Sultanat’ Exhibition in France

Key officials, diplomats and authorities from France and Malaysia in Paris gathered around HRH Regent of Kelantan, Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra, for the official inauguration of the ‘Kelantan, Splendeurs d’un Sultanate’ exhibition today.

Open to the public, the exhibition runs until 6 April 2018 and presents the art of living in Malaysia through craftsmanship and cultural heritage. It was created with the support of the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the Malaysian Embassy in France, the office of the Sultan of Kelantan, the Kelantan State Museum Corporation, the Faculty of Art and Design, UiTM Shah Alam and Tourism Malaysia.

The art pieces from state museums in Kelantan and private collections are presented for the first time in France and to show continuity in their ancestral knowledge, students of the Faculty of Art and Design, UiTM Shah Alam also exhibited their creations in jewelry and textile.

Mr Francois Laurent, Deputy Director of International Affairs, French Ministry of Culture and Communications exchanged gifts with Tengku Muhammad Faiz marking 60 years of Franco-Malaysian relations at the event which was also attended by Datuk Ibrahim Abdullah, the Ambassador of Malaysia to France and Haslina Abdul Hamid, Deputy Secretary General - Tourism, Ministry of Tourism & Culture.

Julia de Bierre, Curator of the exhibition gave Tengku Muhammad Faiz a guided tour on the richness and diversity of the Malay heritage where jewelry, textiles, community art, wedding ceremony customs and a reconstruction of the royal dining room were on display.

A short Mak Yong dance of “Mengadap Rebab”, a mixture of theater and dance, classified as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO was performed by dancers from Akademi Seni Budaya Dan Warisan Kebangsaan (ASWARA).

The exhibition is sponsored by the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism and Culture in association with Tourism Malaysia, the Embassy of Malaysia in France, Kelantan State Museum Corporation, UiTM Shah Alam and co-sponsored by Ancom Berhad, MAA Group Berhad and Uzma Group.

Adlina Borhan, co-founder of the Marketing and PR agency Ab & Artho, the organiser of this exhibition is supported by Julia de Bierre, Curator of the exhibition, Shah Ramli BVBA, design firm, Professor Sulaiman Ghani of UiTM Shah Alam, Rita Aziz and Yaman Ibrahim, photographers.