Business forum to bolster Phil-Russia trade relations

CEBU, Philippines - Trade and cultural relation between the Philippines and Russia is expected to strengthen after the 2nd Philippine Russian Business Forum (PRBF) slated on October 21-24 at the Cebu International Convention Center.

Following the success of the first PRBF last year, which was focused on RP-Russia economic relations, organizers of the event included for the first time this year a trade exhibition, dubbed Philippine Russian Trade Exhibition, which will showcase prime commodities and industries as well as trade opportunities in both countries.

The exhibition will serve as an educational point of exchange of cultural and economic backgrounds of both countries.

“We hope to generate more trade opportunities and strengthen relations between Russia and the Philippines through this exhibition. This will be a good entry point for the Russians not only to the Philippine market but to the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and even the rest of the world, and vice-versa,” Honorary Consul of Russia to the Visayas, Armi Lopez Garcia, said in a statement.

She said this year’s forum will especially focus on the expansion of tourism, saying the sector is the “entry for trade and investment” of Russia to Philippines.

Exhibits for tourism and wellness will showcase MICE (meetings, incentives and conference …) facilities and destinations, tourist attractions and health and wellness products as well as medical tourism-related services.

Aside from products and services related to tourism and wellness, others lined up for the exhibition are products and services related to trade promotion and development; mining and energy; education and culture; labor placement services and outsourcing; retirement facilities and real estate development.

As Russia is known to have the largest reserves of mineral and energy resources in the world and is the world’s leading energy superpower, the visiting exhibitors are expected to bring in new ideas and current trends on Russia’s energy market.

The country has also the world’s largest timber reserves and may promote its wood furniture industry, together with its food products, toys and housewares, jewelry, fashion and accessories and industrial goods.

Various aspects of both the Philippines and Russian education, as well as culture, including English language training and arts and crafts will also be featured in the trade fair.

Meanwhile, among the highlights of the business forum is the one-on-one business matching and meeting between exhibitors and investors or buyers.

The four-day event is organized by the Philippine Russian Business Assembly, Embassy of the Russian Federation and the Philippine Exhibits and Themeparks Corp. (Petco). It is being held in cooperation with the Province of Cebu, City of Mandaue, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Tourism, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cebu Business Club and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (FREEMANBUSINESS)