Swedfund and Team Sweden announced their continued support for the EDSA Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project through an additional grant, underscoring Sweden’s commitment to support the Philippines in its pursuit of sustainable development and economic growth.
Sweden’s top officials for international development cooperation and trade, representatives from Business Sweden, Swedfund, and the Department of Transportation (DOTR) signed the grant agreement which signified Sweden and the Philippines’ continued partnership in the area of transport. The additional grant was worth over P16 million.
Diana Janse, the Swedish State Secretary for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, visited Manila for the occasion and boarded a Volvo Bus along the EDSA Busway from Ayala, Makati to Ortigas, Pasig to experience how the BRT system is implemented in Manila.
“Sweden is committed to supporting the Philippines’ sustainable development goals. Efficient public transportation has a major impact on urban development and economic growth,” said State Secretary Janse.
“We are pleased to have continued collaborations with DOTR on the EDSA BRT. With this project, our goal is to help create efficient and inclusive transportation solutions that create benefits for both people and planet,” said Anna Älgevik, Acting Director for Project Accelerator at Swedfund. Swedfund is Sweden’s development finance institution. Swedfund first started the partnership with DOTR to support the EDSA development in 2018 and have previously contributed grants of about 10M SEK.
“Building on the strong foundation established during the initial phase, this extension represents our collective commitment to continuously improving our public transport system. It is a partnership that unites expertise from Sweden with the dedication of local agencies and organizations—a synergy vital for addressing current challenges and future demands,” shared Jesus Fernando “Andy” Ortega, DOTR Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure.
Through the partnership in the public transportation sector with the DOTR, Swedish stakeholders aim to showcase their innovative, energy-efficient solutions that align with the Philippines’ objectives for commuter-friendly and inclusive urban transport. Swedfund is also supporting the Iloilo-Guimaras Metropolitan Area in its work to develop public transportation.
Sweden, a country known for its high sustainability rankings and efficient, accessible public transportation system, positions itself as a reliable and forward-thinking partner to the Philippines.
Team Sweden, composed of the Embassy of Sweden, Business Sweden, and Swedish companies, is greatly involved in other areas of the transport sector such as rail and aviation. In an effort to further extend the partnership, Team Sweden recently launched the Bus Transit Innovation Platform in Cebu – a project that introduces advanced and integrated transportation solutions for public transportation systems in the Philippines.
