Nanning, China – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary and Board of Investments (BOI) Managing Head Dr. Ceferino S. Rodolfo encouraged Chinese businesses to locate their investments in the Philippines as the country works with investment promotion agencies such as the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and local government units such as Tuguegarao City in solidifying our position as a regional hub for smart and sustainable manufacturing and services for the ASEAN, China’s largest trading partner.
In his keynote speech, DTI Undersecretary Rodolfo emphasized that the Philippines is ready to collaborate and host Chinese investments on electric vehicles, smart/high-tech light manufacturing, outsourced semicon assembly and test, green metals, high-tech agriculture, renewable energy, and data center/telco infrastructure, particularly those that need to comply with their clients’ net-zero carbon commitments.
Joining the Undersecretary in addressing the attendees at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center were Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz; Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (C.P.P.C.C.) of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Vice Chairperson Liu Yong Mei; Philippine Consul General Marshall Louis Alferez; Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso Panga; Tuguegarao City Mayor Maila Rosario Ting-Que; Chinese Embassy in Manila’s Minister Counsellor Yang Guoliang.
The forum was co-organized by the DTI, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), in cooperation with the CAEXPO Secretariat, and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Guangzhou.
Mayor Ting-Que emphasized some of the prospective projects that may be explored by possible Chinese businesses in Tuguegarao City, including projects that are strategically aligned with the country’s efforts to be a regional center for smart and sustainable manufacturing and services.
Meanwhile, Director General Panga highlighted the extensive support that can be offered by the PEZA’s more than 400 ecozones to prospective locators from China. The delegation from PEZA also represented the Philippines in various fora held on the sidelines of the CAEXPO including the 20th CAEXPO Roundtable Meeting on Investment Cooperation; and the Promotion Conference on ASEAN Industrial Parks & Project Matching Meeting.
Undersecretary Rodolfo was in Nanning to head a 100-man delegation from the Philippines who flew to the southern Chinese city of Nanning, which annually plays host to the China-ASEAN Exposition (CAEXPO).
CAEXPO is regarded as the premier platform for trade and investment promotion between China and the ASEAN, and is its marking its milestone 20th edition this year.
This year, the Philippines had a National Pavilion which highlighted the country’s City of Charm, Tuguegarao City, and the PEZA. Philippine exporters of durian, calamansi, banana chips, marine products, fashion accessories, and handicrafts were among those exhibited at the Philippine Commodity Pavilion this year. Estimated negotiated orders generated amounted to around PHP 581 million (USD 10.193 M) at the end of the CAEXPO which ran on September 16-19. ♦
Date of Release: 26 September 2023
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