Philippine Country Team, Chamber Discuss Elevated Profile and Representation for PH Business in China
DTI Usec. Rodolfo, Ambassador FlorCruz and Consul General Ignacio and other Philippine officials with representatives of the China-Philippines Chamber of Commerce following the luncheon meeting. (Shanghai PCG photo)
SHANGHAI 21 November 2023 – Philippine Government officials and the country’s duly recognized Chamber in China forged a consensus to work towards greater visibility for Philippine enterprises and effective representation of their interests on 05 November 2023.
The agreement was reached at a luncheon meeting at the Longemont Hotel hosted by the China-Philippines Chamber of Commerce (CPCC) for Philippine officials attending the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE).
Representing the CPCC were its Acting Secretary General Mr. Allan Liu and Executive Manager Ms. Tracy Leung.
DTI Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo led the government side, which included Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime A. FlorCruz, Philippine Consul General in Shanghai Josel F. Ignacio, Deputy Chief of Mission (Beijing) Dinno M. Oblena, Consul John Francis S. Herrera, Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC)-Shanghai Chief (Consul) Glenn A. Peñaranda, Agriculture Counsellor Ana GM B. Abejuela, Vice Consul Mark Hanzel H. Lao and DA-Region XI Director Abel James I. Monteagudo.
The CPCC is the officially recognized Philippine chamber in the PRC. Its application was approved by the Ministry of Commerce on 16 July 2007. Its registration, meanwhile, was greenlighted by the Ministry of Civil Affairs on 23 June 2008.
Under Chinese law, a country is allowed only one chamber of commerce, which needs to be registered and recognized by the Central Government. Even so, the law allows such lone official chamber to open chapters elsewhere in China, but these branches are not entitled to separate registration or legal identities.
The CPCC brings together major Philippine companies operating in or doing business with China. These include, among others, Solid Industrial (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Liwayway (China) Co. Ltd.; Metrobank (China), BDO Unibank, SM China Ltd., Dai-ichi Electronics (Shanghai) Ltd. Shanghai Dingfeng Real Estate Development Co. Ltd. (Robinsons), Fil-Dragon Real Estate Development Co. Ltd., Philippine Airline China Representative Office, and San Miguel (Guangdong) Brewery Co. Ltd. It also has individual members consisting of Filipino executives and businessmen.
The government delegation and the CPCC exchanged views on strengthening the visibility, work and reach of the CPCC. Both acknowledged the need to build on and take advantage of the ever-growing presence of Filipino enterprises, exporters, businessmen and professionals in China that help underpin the two countries’ trade and investment links, and increased economic interdependence. The network of Philippine diplomatic, consular and trade offices in China will support and sustain engagement with the CPCC in 2024 and beyond, towards attaining these goals. END
For more information, visit http://shanghaipcg.dfa.gov.ph/.