23 October 2013 – The ASEAN Committee in Rome (ACR) led by Philippine Ambassador and ACR Chairman Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr conducted an official visit to the City of Perugia last October 09.
The morning itinerary focused on the socio-cultural and historical aspects of the city of Perugia. The ACR was given a tour of the Casa del Cioccolato Perugina (from where the world famous Baci chocolates are made and packed), followed by a walking tour in the city center with Dr. Maria Luisa Martella as tourist guide. Dr. Martella is a historian and works at the Office of the Mayor.
The ACR delegation met with the Mayor of Perugia, Hon. Wladimiro Boccali in the afternoon. The Mayor thanked the ACR delegation for visiting Perugia, and for expressing interest to engage with the people, institutions and business community of the city.
He gave the ACR delegation a brief description of the city (medium-sized Italian province, with a population of 170,000) and highlighted the major interests/opportunities that Perugia offers; 1. the four renowned schools for foreign students (i.e. the University for Foreigners, the Università degli Studi di Perugia (Public University, the Accademia di Belle Arti (School of Fine Arts), the Conservatory), 2. for business/investments, the local economy of Perugia, as is in the whole region of Umbria, is mostly run by small-medium enterprises (SME). In general, the region counts on production quality rather quantity, being a small region with few natural resources (except for agriculture) which had to therefore develop high technology in its main sectors (i.e. agriculture mechanization/green economy/sustainable energy/urban restoration) and 3. the Mayor further informed that Perugia is a candidate to become in 2019, the European Capital of Culture. He expressed hope that Perugia would be successful in this regard as he believes that culture brings along labor opportunities.
The ACR Ambassadors also met with the Rector of the University for Foreigners of Perugia University, and engaged with its International Relations’/International Studies’/Asian studies’ students. During the meeting, the Rector reiterated and re-affirmed his commitment to Ambassador Reyes to offer ASEAN diplomats online Italian language courses for diplomats.
In the forum with the students, Ambassador Reyes, as ACR Chair, gave a general presentation on ASEAN and the Philippines, followed by each ASEAN Ambassador presenting on their respective countries.
The last agenda for the visit was a forum with the business community of Perugia wherein representatives from Umbria Export, Confimi Impresa Umbria, Umbria Trade, Confindustria Umbria and Confindustria Perugia confirmed their keen interest in the internationalization of local products. As a matter of fact, the Chamber of Commerce of the cities of Perugia and Terni representatives confirmed that they would be accompanying a delegation of Italian businessmen to Vietnam (November), Malaysia (February) and Myanmar, with the prospect of visiting other ASEAN countries while already in the region. END