PH Consulate General in Manado Boosts PH-Indonesia Trade

Consul General Oscar Orcine (center, in hat) is flanked by participants in the meeting who represented companies trading in cement, food, oil, fish products, and coconuts, and stakeholders in shipping, travels, and tours. (Manado PCG photo)

MANADO 07 December 2018 – To discuss ways to boost cross-border trade and cultural cooperation, the Philippine Consulate General in Manado gathered Filipino and Indonesian businessmen and government officials at the Philippine-Indonesia Business Consultation and Fellowship on 07 December 2018.

Participants were optimistic of the potential of small- and medium-scale businesses to create demand for products from both sides of the border, and called for close collaboration between Filipino and Indonesian businessmen.

Those present signed up to a social networking group designed to serve as a platform for exchanging pertinent information on market regulations in the Philippines and Indonesia as well as specific business opportunities between Filipino and Indonesian businessmen.

During the discussions, businessmen recalled the potentials of the Davao-GenSan-Bitung roll-on, roll-off (RORO) service to support the growth of markets in the region. They hoped to have a RORO service that will not only carry cargo but also passengers, pointing out that passengers are very likely exporters and importers of commodities.

With this in mind, participants signed a petition expressing support for the continuation of the Davao-GenSan-Bitung RORO service.

Indonesian businessmen at the meeting expressed enthusiasm for a face-to-face meeting with their Filipino counterparts in Davao.

Screen grab of the social group platform designed to enable Filipino and Indonesian businessmen to exchange views and information on various subjects. (Manado PCG photo)

For more information, visit www.manadopcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinManado/.