The Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCCH) just completed its 31st Trade Mission to the Philippines and met with business counterparts in several cities in the Philippines.
It started with Sorsogon City in the Bicol Region, Santa Rosa and Los Banos in Laguna, Candon City and Vigan in Ilocos Sur, Angeles City in Pampanga, and concluded at the Metro Manila area where the Aloha Night was held.
The delegation also met with Mayor Eric Singson of Candon, Mayor Bonito Singson of Vigan, and Governor Jerry Singson of Ilocos Sur. The group also met with Soya Bueno Cheng, the investment officer for Ilocos Norte as its Governor Matthew Manotoc and several officials prepare for their investment mission to Hawaii in mid-March.
Highlights of the trip were the receptions hosted by Ambassador Mary Kay Carlson of the US Embassy in Manila and the audience with the President of the Philippines at the Malacañang Palace.
The primary goal of the mission is to increase the exchange of goods and services between Hawaii and the Philippines, especially in the export-import of food products, gift items and home/personal accessories.Another is the facilitation and recruitment of workforce for the healthcare and visitor industries, as well as teachers for Hawai’i’s public schools.
The resulting metrics gained by the Trade Mission will be part of a report that the organizers will issue in March during the symposium.