Business Prospects in Ilocos Norte Highlighted in Business and Investment Dialogue Held in Hawaii

Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc enumerates the reasons for considering Ilocos Norte as an ideal investment destination. (Honolulu PCG Photo)

HONOLULU 18 March 2024— The Philippine Consulate General hosted a business and investment dialogue on 12 March to provide prospective investors with a better appreciation of the economic opportunities in Ilocos Norte.

Over 30 attendees from various sectors such as food, business process outsourcing, healthcare, real estate, finance, transportation, and construction industry, participated in the activity, which took advantage of Ilocos Norte Governor Manotoc’s visit to Honolulu during the provincial government’s Tourism, Trade and Cultural Roadshow.   

In his remarks, Consul General Emil Fernandez noted the timeliness of the briefing, following the successful conduct of the Trade Mission of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce to Hawaii last February, which included an audience with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in Malacañang.   The activity also builds on the Trabaho, Negosyo at Kabuhayan (TNK) session on investment prospects in Ilocos Norte conducted by Los Angeles-based Trade Attaché Mr. Eric Elnar at the Consulate last year.  

Governor Manotoc also announced that “Ilocos Norte is open for business” and invited the business community in Hawaii to invest sustainably, capacitate, and in the process, help build communities in Ilocos Norte. He cited the positive factors to consider investing in the province, including its stable peace and order situation, low poverty rate, highly literate workforce and the political unity in the solid North. 

Members of the governor’s economic team included Ms. Rona Leigh Bueno, Trade and Investment Promotions Head, Mr. Xavier Ruiz, Tourism Head, and Atty. Juan Alfonso Augustus Jose, Chief of Staff of the Governor, who delivered presentations on the trade, investment, tourism and agricultural potentials in the province.  Immediately following the presentations, an open forum and networking session succeeded. END 

Philippine Consul General Emil Fernandez underscores positive development in the Philippine economyduring his opening remarks. (Honolulu PCG Photo)

Ilocos Norte Governor Manotoc and Consul General Fernandez (front row, second and third from left) with the participants of the Business and Investment Dialogue. (Hawaii PCG Photo)

For more information, visit  https://www.honolulupcg.dfa.gov.ph