CEBU, Philippines — Anticipating a good mutual trade exchange with Southern Philippines, the New Zealand government announced the establishment of two consular offices in Cebu and Mindanao.
“The move reflects the growing interest of New Zealand’s private sector in opportunities associated with impressive economic growth in Davao and Cebu. We are delighted that Mr. Osmeña and Mr. Lao, two highly respected and dynamic Filipino businesspersons have agreed to take on these new roles,” said New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines David Strachan.
The Embassy of New Zealand to the Philippines announced to formally install Cebuano businessman and wine connoisseur Manuel Osmeña for Cebu province and Vicente Lao for Mindanao.
According to Strachan, New Zealand recognized the dynamic economic growth and the potential for increasing business exchanges in both Cebu and Mindanao.
The appointments of Osmeña and Lao as Honorary Consuls will help deepen the trade and economic partnership with Cebu and Mindanao. They are New Zealand’s first Honorary Consuls in the Philippines.
These appointments follow the announcement of the new positions by New Zealand Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern during her visit to Manila in November 2017 for the East Asia Summit.
"Through tourism, education and business, people to people links between Cebu and Mindanao and New Zealand are fast growing. This move will inject greater momentum into that trend and in the process further enhance friendship between our peoples”," added the Ambassador.
Osmeña hails from a family of entrepreneurs in Cebu and is the current Group Chairman of the Manny O. Group, with interests in tourism, airport and airline services, wine and hotel business. He is also the Chairman and Founder of Hope Now Philippines Foundation.
Lao, on the other hand has various business interests in agriculture, construction, and the import/export sector. He is currently the Chairman of the Mindanao Business Council and chairs the Board of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Business Council.
Mindanao, according to Strachan is a growing priority for the New Zealand Aid Programme.
In November last year, New Zealand announced that it will provide PHP126 million (NZ$3.5 million) to support the restoration of agricultural livelihoods in Mindanao, through the Food and Agriculture Organization.
“New Zealand welcomes the prospect of the Bangsamoro Basic Law coming into force and is committed to doing what it can to support the peace process in Mindanao,” Strachan said.
New Zealand is also keen to explore opportunities for collaboration in Mindanao’s agricultural sector, including in post-harvest technology and biosecurity.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Strachan also announced that New Zealand will make PHP18 million (NZ$500,000) in humanitarian assistance available through the World Food Programme to help people affected by the recent conflict in Marawi.
“New Zealand recognizes the magnitude of the challenges confronting the authorities in the Philippines and is committed to doing what it can to supplement the efforts of central and local government to help the displaced persons in Marawi,” Strachan said.
The New Zealand Government awards 24 scholarships annually to Filipinos who wish to pursue post-graduate degrees in New Zealand. This year, the Embassy prioritized applicants from Cebu and Mindanao, investing in the regions’ youth.
Later this month the New Zealand Embassy will host inauguration dinners in Cebu and Davao in honor of Osmeña and Lao.