Sweden Brings Transport Innovation to Davao

Sweden is deepening its partnership with Davao City by showcasing its expertise in smart and sustainable transport solutions while building on the growing presence of Swedish companies operating in Mindanao.

Team Sweden at the Transcom and Awesome OS office in Davao City. The office tour was led by Roger Fernandes, the Vice President of Operations at Transcom and Awesome OS in Davao City. (Photo from Embassy of Sweden Manila)

The Embassy of Sweden in the Philippines, together with Business Sweden, recently led a high-level mission to Davao City headed by Ambassador Anna Ferry and Swedish Trade Commissioner Johan Lennefalk. The delegation met with local government officials, transport stakeholders, and Swedish companies as part of efforts to strengthen economic cooperation and support the city’s transport modernization initiatives.

Ambassador Ferry and Lennefalk paid a courtesy call on Acting Mayor Sebastian Duterte, where they discussed Davao City’s development priorities, investment opportunities, and Sweden’s expanding commercial footprint in the city.

Sweden already has an established business presence in Davao through several companies operating across different industries. These include Transcom, the city’s largest Swedish employer with around 3,000 employees providing business process outsourcing services, software developer Netzon Group, as well as H&M, Atlas Copco, Cibes Lift, and SKF. The visit underscored Sweden’s long-term commitment to supporting Davao’s economic growth beyond infrastructure development.

Team Sweden at the Netzon Office, they were welcomed by Charisse Yap, Chief Operations Officer (Seated second from left). The Netzon Group is a Swedish software developer. (Photo from Embassy of Sweden Manila)

A key focus of the mission was the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (DPTMP), one of the country’s most significant urban mobility initiatives, where procurement is currently underway. Swedish companies presented technologies designed to help improve public transport safety, operational efficiency, and sustainability.

Among them was Consat Telematics, which showcased its intelligent fleet management and connected mobility platform that enables real-time fleet monitoring, driver support, and data-driven transport operations.

Kapsch TrafficCom AB, the Swedish entity of the Kapsch TrafficCom Group, highlighted its expertise in intelligent transportation systems, traffic management technologies, and integrated mobility solutions that support efficient and safe public transport operations.

“Sweden has a long history of supporting sustainable, people-centered transport in the Philippines. This mission to Davao represents our commitment to bringing that same expertise and partnership spirit to one of the country’s most exciting infrastructure projects. We are confident that Swedish solutions—built on innovation, safety, and reliability—can make a meaningful and lasting contribution to the DPTMP,” Ambassador Ferry said.

Transcom is the largest Swedish company in Davao City in terms of number of employees with around 3,000 engaging in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services. At Transcom’s child-care facility, Ambassador Anna Ferry donated a “Pippi Longstocking” book that is beloved by children in Sweden. (Photo from Embassy of Sweden Manila)

The mission also highlighted Sweden’s broader commitment to Philippine transport modernization.

Since 2018, Swedfund, Sweden’s development finance institution, has provided approximately SEK 10 million (around P65 million) in grants to support feasibility studies, technical reviews, and system planning for the EDSA Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Metro Manila.

In 2025, Sweden approved an additional SEK 3 million (over P19.5 million) grant to extend technical assistance for the EDSA BRT project, covering engineering design, public-private partnership advisory services, and capacity-building initiatives.

Sweden’s transport cooperation likewise extends to Iloilo City, where Swedfund International is supporting an integrated public transport project. Swedish engineering consultancy Sweco, in partnership with the Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council, is undertaking a feasibility study to help develop a phased transport network for the region.

Beyond official meetings, the Swedish delegation visited Transcom and Netzon Group to engage with employees and management, reflecting Sweden’s continuing support for its companies operating in Davao. Ambassador Ferry also toured Museo Dabawenyo to learn more about Mindanao’s cultural heritage and sampled locally produced coffee, chocolates, and tropical fruits.

The Davao mission reinforces Sweden’s growing role as a business and innovation partner in the Philippines, bringing together trade, investment, and transport expertise to support more sustainable and technology-driven urban development.