Gujranwala, February 5, 2026: Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Emmanuel R. Fernandez was among the distinguished awardees at the GBC Excellence Awards, hosted by the Gujranwala Business Centre (GBC) to recognize outstanding contributions in diplomacy, industry, and international cooperation. The ambassador was accompanied by his spouse, Mme. Alicia Kalaw-Fernandez, and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Rain Mendoza.
The awards ceremony brought together diplomats, leading industrialists, and representatives of chambers of commerce and academia to honour individuals and institutions advancing bilateral relations, trade promotion, and economic collaboration with Gujranwala and Pakistan.
Ambassador Fernandez received the GBC Excellence Award for his role in promoting Philippines–Pakistan economic engagement, particularly in fostering trade, investment, and people-to-people ties. His presence highlighted the Philippine Embassy’s commitment to building long-term partnerships with Pakistan’s industrial sectors, including Gujranwala’s globally competitive SMEs.
Gujranwala, one of Pakistan’s major industrial hubs, hosts over 21,000 SMEs with exports valued at approximately USD 2.5 billion across sectors such as ceramics, sanitary fittings, electrical goods, agricultural machinery, metals, textiles, and rice. The event underscored the GBC’s initiatives in export promotion and global trade connectivity, including the “Made in Gujranwala” campaign.
Following the ceremony, Ambassador Fernandez participated in an exclusive networking session with selected business leaders from metals, agribusiness, packaging, construction materials, home appliances, IT services, and logistics sectors. Discussions focused on export opportunities to the Philippines, potential joint ventures, market-entry strategies, and leveraging Philippine economic zones and ASEAN market access.
The ambassador encouraged firms to coordinate with the Philippine Embassy for targeted business matchmaking and highlighted upcoming structured engagements, including the Philippines–Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting and potential business delegations to the Philippines later this year.
The recognition of Ambassador Fernandez at the GBC Excellence Awards reflects the shared commitment of the Philippine Embassy and the Gujranwala Business Centre to deepen bilateral trade, expand institutional linkages, and translate diplomatic engagement into practical, results-oriented economic cooperation benefiting both countries.
