PRIMEX celebrated its 35th anniversary last 7 August 2024, marking over three decades of innovation, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence. The celebration also highlighted five years of PRIMEX’s strategic partnership with Oriental Consultants Global (OCG) of Japan.
The day’s festivities began with an intimate breakfast of the PRIMEX family at Sentro 1771 in Capitol Commons in Pasig City. After breakfast, representative staff from the three PRIMEX departments spoke of how PRIMEX has played a pivotal role in their professional and personal lives through the opportunities provided by the company for their personal and professional growth and development.
In a moving address, PRIMEX Founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Elvira Ablaza, spoke of PRIMEX’s humble beginnings and its evolution into a premier international consulting firm through hard work and perseverance. She expressed her deep gratitude to the entire team and emphasized that the company’s success is a collective achievement, made possible by the dedication, talent, and passion of every employee.
Group photo of the PRIMEX Management and Staff at Sentro 1771 Capitol Commons
A Memorable Evening at the EDSA Shangri-La Manila
The day-long PRIMEX celebration culminated in a Cocktail Party held at the Isla Ballroom 3 of EDSA Shangri-La Manila. The Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, Mr. Kazuya Endo, and the Minister of Economic Affairs of the Japanese Embassy in Manila, Mr. Daisuke Nihei, attended the event together with senior officials of Philippine Government agencies (DA, DOF, BFAR, NEDA, ZCSEZA), ADB, AUSTRADE, JICA, the Italian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, and the Council of Civil Engineers of the Philippines (CECOPHIL). OCG President Eiji Yonezawa and several high-level officers from OCG Tokyo and OCG projects in the Philippines also graced the event. Most of the guests were officers and staff of international and national consulting firms, as well as consultants who have worked with PRIMEX in the last 35 years. These consultants cover a wide range of specializations – economics and finance, fisheries and natural resources, environment, and social safeguards, different fields of engineering, architecture and urban planning, law, policy and institutions, and procurement, among others.
(from left to right) PRIMEX Chairman and President Mr. Ryohei Ishii, the Japanese Ambassador Mr. Kazuya Endo, PRIMEX Founder and COO Ms. Elvira C. Ablaza, and OCG President Mr. Eiji Yonezawa
The gathering of such a diverse and accomplished group of consultants highlighted the broad impact and reach of PRIMEX over the years. The consultants, masters of their craft, have played a vital role in helping PRIMEX achieve its goals, and their presence underscored the collaborative spirit that has been a cornerstone of the company’s success.
In her message, Ms. Ablaza spoke about PRIMEX’s accomplishments in agriculture, fisheries, and natural resources, health and education, and how the company’s strategic partnership with OC Global has enabled PRIMEX to make significant strides in the transportation and infrastructure sectors in the Philippines and the region in the last five years. Ms. Ablaza’s address was a powerful reminder of the PRIMEX legacy and its continued focus on excellence, innovation, and leadership.
PRIMEX Founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Ms. Elvira C. Ablaza
PRIMEX Chairman and President Ryohei Ishii provided a brief overview of Oriental Consultants Global (or OCG) and recent success in the Philippines, mainly in the transportation sector, and its diversification from JICA to ADB, World Bank, and EIB projects with the support of PRIMEX, especially in the last five years. He underscored the deep mutual respect and synergy between the two organizations – OCG and PRIMEX, which is envisioned to grow even stronger in the years to come.
PRIMEX Chairman and President Mr. Ryohei Ishii
OCG President Mr. Eiji Yonezawa echoed the commitment of PRIMEX and OCG to draw from each other’s strengths, which has proved that partnering together would create better outcomes for both companies. He said that, as a result of the OCG-PRIMEX partnership, PRIMEX is now more involved in infrastructure and engineering projects, while OCG is now more involved in projects funded by multilateral development banks, particularly ADB, where OCG’s ranking among Japanese consulting firms has improved significantly – from No. 4 in 2019 to No. 2 in 2023 – and aspiring to be No. 1 in the near future. Mr Yonezawa closed his speech by saying that he sincerely admires PRIMEX’s commitment to quality and excellence and expressed optimism that, with the shared values and shared goals of OCG and PRIMEX, the two firms can take any challenge together.
OCG President Mr. Eiji Yonezawa
To cap the anniversary program, Dr. Ernesto S. de Castro, CECOPHIL President, congratulated PRIMEX on 35 years marked by high-quality performance in the Philippines and in the international arena and raised a toast to the continued success of PRIMEX and the Philippine consulting industry.
CECOPHIL President Dr. Ernesto S. de Castro