Central Luzon MSMEs meet Fil-Am businessmen in trade mission
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Around 50 delegates from the Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce (FPACC) recently visited from the United States to meet with local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Region 3.
A regional business-to-business (B2B) meeting was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry Regional Office III (DTI-3) on October 15, 2022 at the SACOP Ephatha Function Hall. In the B2B meeting, MSMEs from Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Tarlac met with their Fil-American business counterparts coming from Pennsylvania, Texas, Delaware, Hawaii, Nevada and other parts of the United States.
To explore trade and investment opportunities, the Central Luzon entrepreneurs presented their products and business profiles to the visiting FPACC delegates.
Brigida T. Pili, Assistant Regional Director of DTI-3, welcomed the delegation and expressed her optimism that the visit by the FPACC delegates will lead to concrete and meaningful partnership with the local businesses of Central Luzon.
Leonides “Loloy” Reyes, FPACC Vice President for Global Outreach and Head of Mission, expressed his gratitude to DTI-3 for organizing the event. He also thanked DTI for enabling them to seek opportunities to help the local economy by doing business in the Philippines, especially after two years of the pandemic.
He further noted that the group had previously signed a contract for an investment worth Php400 million in North Luzon and they hope that similar projects can be made in Central Luzon.
Noemi Frias, National Secretary of the FPACC, noted that for this year, Region 3 is the focus of their efforts to explore business opportunities.
A presentation on the investment potentials of Central Luzon was also provided by Barry Pangilinan, Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist of DTI-3.
Tessa Sibal, Chief Economic Development Specialist of the National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office III (NEDA-3) also presented the recently approved Regional Physical Framework Plan for Region 3, while Atty. Carminda Z. Fabros, Executive Director of the Subic Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC) presented the updates on trade and investment opportunities in the Subic Freeport Zone, Clark Freeport Zone, Luisita Industrial Park and the Freeport Area of Bataan.
For her part, Atty. Maria Amalia T. Cayanan, Regional Governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce North Luzon noted the enviable opportunities for doing business in Central Luzon. Atty. Cayanan also challenged the FPACC members to bring back their money to the Philippines by doing business here to help the local economy grow.
Eric Bustamante, manager of the Philippine National Bank in New York also discussed the financial services of the bank for Filipino-Americans who wish to conduct business in the Philippines.
Among the products exhibited during the B2B meeting were locally made jewelries, coconut-based products, cashew products, marine-based products, bottled sweets, peanut products, handicrafts and condiments. The FPACC delegates, who were in trading and import-export business, expressed interest in the quality products of Central Luzon entrepreneurs and exchanged their contact information.
ARD Brigida T. Pili of DTI Region 3 (center) receives a plaque of appreciation from the visiting delegates of the US-based FPACC led by Marie Cunning, FPACC President (6th from L) and Leonides “Loloy” Reyes, VP and Head of Mission (7th from R). Atty. Ma. Amalia Cayanan (2nd L), PCCI Regional Governor, Atty. Carminda Z. Fabros, SCADC Executive Director (3rd L) and officers of DTI provincial offices also attended the event.
