(Left photo) Philippine Trade Undersecretary Ponciano Manalo, Jr. conducts a round-table discussion on the Philippines in Mexico City. (from left) ProMexico Asia Chief Claudia Esteves Cano; Undersecretary Manalo; Ambassador Sergio Ley of COMCE; Philippine Ambassador Catalino R. Dilem, Jr. (Right photo) Undersecretary Manalo and the Philippine delegation meet with officials of Banorte.

03 August 2015 - Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ponciano Manalo, Jr. visited Mexico from July 13 to 126 to conduct a Philippine trade and investment road show. The visit, which followed a previous one by Undersecretary Manalo from April 19 to 21, was held with the support of the Philippine Embassy in Mexico, led by Ambassador Catalino R. Dilem, Jr.

Undersecretary Manalo was accompanied by Trade Commissioner Jose Maria S. Dinsay from the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Los Angeles and Third Secretary Mikhal C. de Dios of the Philippine Embassy in Mexico.

During his visit, Undersecretary Manalo had meetings with several major companies in Mexico City as well as Monterrey, one of the country's primary centers of industry. For the Monterrey leg, the delegation was provided with additional support by Mr. Francisco Eduardo Cué Robledo, son of the Philippine Honorary Consul in Monterrey, Mr. Francisco Eduardo Cué Perez. In organizing the meetings, the delegation also received assistance from Cementos Mexicanos (CEMEX) and ProMexico, the Mexican government's trade promotion agency.

Aside from holding one-on-one meetings with Mexican companies, Undersecretary Manalo also conducted a round-table discussion with several firms on July 14 to exchange views and answer questions about the Philippine economy and its promising outlook. CEMEX and Coca-Cola FEMSA, two Mexican companies with major investments in the Philippines, gave their testimonials to other firms about their highly-positive experiences in the country.

Ambassador Sergio Ley of the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment, and Technology (COMCE) also spoke at the round-table discussion to promote Philippine-Mexico trade relations and highlight the recent signing of the MOU between COMCE and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

At each of the one-on-one meetings, Undersecretary Manalo described the rapid growth of the Philippine economy and the international business community's greatly-improved perception and confidence in the country.

He highlighted the strong reform agenda and anti-corruption drive of the Aquino administration, as well as the numerous opportunities for investment in the Philippines and the country's competitive advantages. In particular, Undersecretary Manalo invited companies to invest in the Philippine infrastructure and transportation sectors.

Undersecretary Manalo also highlighted the advent of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015 and promoted the Philippines as a possible gateway for the 600 million consumers of the Southeast Asian region, especially considering the close cultural affinity, historical link, and similar business culture that Mexico and the Philippines share. The trade road show was a success, resulting in expressions of interest from several Mexican companies to explore opportunities in the Philippines. END