PH Consulate General in Manado Explores Davao-Ternate Trade to Drive East-ASEAN Growth

Consul General Oscar Orcine shakes hands with Crown Prince Firman Sjah of the Sultanate of Ternate. Their meeting explored the prospects of opening direct trade between Ternate, North Maluku and Mindanao. (Manado PCG photo)

MANADO 20 February 2019 – To explore prospects of opening direct trade between Ternate, North Maluku in Indonesia and Davao City, Consul General to Manado Oscar Orcine led discussions with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Firman Sjah of the Sultanate of Ternate, North Maluku in Jakarta on 07 February 2019.

Crown Prince Firman said that Philippine exports to Ternate may include food, beverages, and garments. He gives assurance that there will be no delay in the customs clearing process for Philippine goods that will be unloaded in ports in Ternate. It is a concession that the Sultanate will readily give for the opportunity to export copra and seaweeds to the Philippines.

Also in attendance at the meeting are Her Royal Highnesses Princess Wiriawaty Mudaffar Sjah, Princess Rien Hajat, and businessman Raymond Tamstil.

Ternate’s strategic proximity to Davao and to key areas in eastern Indonesia makes its ports a viable complement to Bitung International Hub Port, which is poised to become a special economic zone this year, in channeling Philippine exports to markets in eastern Indonesia.

On 08 February 2019, the Philippine Consulate General in Manado introduced the Crown Prince and his entourage to Ambassador to Indonesia Lee Hiong Tan Wee, where the Crown Prince conveyed to the Ambassador his intention to meet prospective buyers in Davao City this March.

He said that his visit to the Philippines next month is also an opportunity to explore businesses that can export goods to his territory immediately. He is hopeful that the Sultanate’s access to a cargo ship capable of carrying at least 2,500 metric tons and able to call on various ports in eastern Indonesia will draw the interest of Philippine exporters to get the exchange of goods going before the end of March.

Ambassador Wee expressed his gratitude for the Sultanate’s optimistic outlook for Davao-Ternate trade and assured him of the Embassy’s full support for this initiative. END

Consul General Oscar Orcine introduced Crown Prince Firman Sjah to Ambassador to Indonesia Lee Hiong Tan Wee. (Manado PCG photo)

Taking part in the exploratory meeting on Davao-Ternate trade are (from left) Consul General Oscar Orcine, Vice Consul Jacqueline Arquiza, businessman Raymond Tamstil, Crown Prince Firman Sjah, Ambassador to Indonesia Lee Hiong Tan Wee, Princess Wiriawaty Mudaffar Sjah, Ms. Irminah, Princess Rien Hajat, and Vice Consul Manuel Ayap. (Manado PCG photo)

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