Illinois Trade Delegation Wraps Up Productive Mission to PH
The Illinois trade mission, led by Mr. Godfrey Angara (fifth from right), conducted a site visit to Maynilad Water Treatment Plant in Putatan, Muntinlupa City. (Godfrey Angara photo)
CHICAGO 03 April 2019 — The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago hailed the fruitful and timely trade mission of Illinois officials to the Water Philippines Expo held on 19-22 March 2019.
The visit provided an opportunity for Illinois small and medium enterprises firms to present possible solutions to the Philippines’ water needs, as water issues banner news headlines in the country.
Consul General to Chicago Gina A. Jamoralin hailed the success of the trade mission, and hoped that the relationships developed and information shared would contribute to sustainable solutions to the Philippines’ increasing water needs in the light of a booming economy and a growing population. She vowed to continue to pursue efforts to build upon robust relations between the Philippines and the State of Illinois.
The Consulate General and Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of the Undersecretary for International Economic Relations of the assisted the delegation in reaching out to officials of the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) and the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).
The delegation was led by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Trade and Investment Assistant Deputy Director Godfrey Angara, and was composed of representatives of six Illinois enterprises engaged in water management, wastewater treatment, municipal drinking water, industrial water, and manufacture of ozone generators for purification, pumps, molds and measurement instruments.
Mr. Angara met with NWRB officials, who shared information on their policy work and a background on the local water condition. In turn, he shared how the Illinois businesses’ products and services could provide solutions to some of the Philippines’ water needs.
The delegation then participated in an in-country market briefing and networking event with United States Embassy officials from the Commercial Service, Commercial Service Liaison to the Asian Development Bank, USAID, and a local Philippine law firm, PJS Law. Speakers discussed the Philippine market, procurement opportunities, and transactional and legal details of doing business in the country.
Officials from the LWUA also attended the market briefing, where they discussed their work outside Metro Manila. According to Mr. Angara, companies found added value in networking with them, and learning about how water resources are handled in the various provinces of the country.
The delegation also conducted a site visit to the Maynilad Water Treatment Plant in Putatan, Muntinlupa City, where they learned how Maynilad processes the drinking water for a significant portion of Metro Manila.
At the Water Philippines 2019 Expo on 20-22 March 2019, the Illinois enterprises exhibited in the Illinois Pavilion. According to Mr. Angara, Illinois was the only formal pavilion representing an American delegation. They engaged in pre-arranged business-to-business (B2B) meetings as well as promoted their products to the hundreds of daily expo visitors.
“This experience was fantastic for our six companies to continue to develop business relationships in the Philippine market and pursue opportunities to grow their exports,” he noted.
Held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, the Water Philippines Expo had more than 500 companies and brands, including ten international and regional pavilions, exhibited the most innovative technologies and solutions. More than 10,000 visitors and professionals from 30 countries participated in the expo, and is considered the biggest water B2B show in the Philippines, designed as an outstanding on-the-spot market of products, connections and opportunities. END
The pavilion of the State of Illinois at the Water Philippines Expo (Godfrey Angara photo)
For more information, visit www.chicagopcg.dfa.gov.ph, www.chicagopcg.com or https://www.facebook.com/PHinChicago/.