27 August 2014 – Philippine Consul General in Honolulu Gina A. Jamoralin met with Ms. Sherry Menor-McNamara, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (COCH) at the Chamber’s office in Honolulu Hawaii on August 22.
Ms. Menor-McNamara, who is of Filipino-Japanese ancestry, made history as the COCH’s first woman and youngest President when she assumed leadership in September 2013 of Hawaii’s oldest and largest business trade organization, representing 1,000 local companies with more than 200,000 employees in diverse industries.
During the meeting, Consul General Jamoralin congratulated Ms. Menor-Mcnamara for holding a very important position in Hawaii’s business industry, expressing hope that the Consulate General and the Chamber could work together toward its mutual goal of fostering trade and business relations between the Philippines and Hawaii.
The Consul General also conveyed to Ms. Menor-Mcnamara her priority goals as the new head of the Philippine Consulate General: to promote the welfare of the Filipins; to engage the US Pacific Command; and to enhance the economic diplomacy thrust of the Consulate General.
She also discussed the improving economic outlook and business climate in the Philippines, becoming one of the fastest growing economies in the world, as evidenced by unprecedented periods of macroeconomic buoyancy and political economy and renewed domestic and international business confidence in the country. She expressed her hope that more businesses in Hawaii could see the potential of the Philippines as a strong trade partner and investment destination, especially in the BPO, tourism, energy, agriculture, and retail industries.
In response, Ms. Menor-Mcnamara said that she shares the vision of the Consul General as the Chamber strives to promote economic opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region through working closely with the Consulates General in Hawaii. She said that the Chamber intends to gather all the Consuls General in Hawaii in one event in the last quarter of 2014 in which they can discuss ways on how to develop business opportunities between Hawaii and their countries.
The Chamber of Commerce also seeks to promote the manufacturing sector both in Hawaii and its partner economies through holding more seminars on export trade promotion for its members.
Both Consul General Jamoralin and Ms. Menor-Mcnamara expressed their support and assistance for the Consulate General’s and the Chamber’s respective activities and programs, and committed to extend assistance such as inviting resource speakers on trade and investment from the Philippines, providing contacts and networking opportunities. END