Trade mission slated Phl seeks to strengthen trade ties with Russia

CEBU, Philippines - A 16-man delegation from the Philippines will be heading to Russia for a seven-day trade mission to further strengthen the trade and business relations between the country and the Russian Federation.

Organized by the Philippine-Russian Business Assembly, which was founded by Russian Federation Honorary Consul Armie L. Garcia, the group will be exploring business opportunities in Moscow and St. Petersburg this coming June 14 to 22.

"We are doing our share in promoting the Philippines, especially in tourism to Russia. Tourism and culture are always the entry-point of trade and commerce," said Garcia in a press conference.

Since her appointment as honorary consul for the Russian Federation in 2007, Garcia has since been consistently leading trade missions, sisterhood, and twin-city agreements with different cities in Russia to capitalize on the tremendous opportunities interns of tourism and investments.

Garcia said while the Philippines is seeing remarkable improvements in Russian tourist arrivals, the country is also starting to gain popularity among Russian investors in tourism investments, as well as other industries like food, real estate and construction, mining equipment supplies,waste recycling, information technology, and manufacturing.

Although this trade mission is a private-sector-led initiative, she said her office is also coordinating with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and even invited PEZA director general Lilia de Lima, "but she couldnt come with us due to schedule conflict."

"This is part of PRBAs mission to continue bridging business ties between the two countries, as representative business chamber in the Philippines and chief conduit for Philippine-Russian business relations," said Garcia.

PRBA has successfully established its counterpart in Russia, the Russian-Philippine Business Council. Both business chambers have signed a Memorandum of Agreement wherein they agree to cooperate in business matching, education and promotion.

Garcia added that this time, it will be the RPBC that will be hosting a business forum in Moscow. Delegates of the PRBA mission, who count among them business and socio-civic representattives from Cebu and Manila, will be introduced to the Russian business community.

Business matching will be conducted during the forum, she said adding that the Philippine delegation will assign speakers to talk about the Philippine economic picture and areas of cooperation.

The one-week trip will also feature various opportunities for delegates to experience the culture and sights of Russia. There will be trips to famous landmarks, churches and museums.