01 December 2015 - In close cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in Pretoria, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), led by President Ma. Teresa Chan, undertook a trade and business scoping mission to South Africa from November 17 to 24.

The Cebu businessmen were assisted by the Philippine Embassy in Pretoria in the arrangement of their meetings with the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as South African government officials.

On November 19, the Cebu businessmen engaged in a seminar with the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as in business-to-business matching sessions in Cape Town.  Philippine Honorary Consul General Steven Chaimowitz ably represented the Philippine Embassy during the Cape Town leg of the Cebu Chamber’s visit, sharing information on the stellar performance of the Philippine economy and encouraging South African businessmen to create linkages with Cebu.

On November 23, CCCI was welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to South Africa Joseph Gerard B. Angeles to the Ambassador’s residence in Pretoria for a dinner reception where the Cebu businessmen were given an opportunity to interact with South African government officials from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Department of Trade and Industry, and the South African Maritime Safety Authority. The event provided an opportunity for the Cebu businessmen to inquire directly from the government officials about the various aspects of doing business in South Africa, including the regulatory environment for investments and revenue regulations.

In the morning of November 24, CCCI engaged with the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) at the latter’s headquarters in Johannesburg. Twenty-five companies from the JCCI went to meet with the Cebu businessmen and engaged in business matching sessions with them.

During the meeting with JCCI, Ambassador Angeles shared information with the businessmen on the strong economic performance of the Philippines in recent years, including the 7.2% growth of the country in 2013 and its 6% average in the last five years. He also told the chambers of the Philippines’ investment grade status courtesy of ratings from Fitch, Standard and Poor’s, and Moody’s, stressing that the good news from the Philippines is complemented by the government’s good governance thrusts.

For her part, CCCI President Chan told South African businessmen that Cebu is the fastest growing city in the Philippines, with 9% annual growth in the last five years. She recalled the Chamber’s last visit to South Africa in 2008, saying that the credentials of Cebu as an economic hub has since reached new heights.

The visit was capped off with the signing of a sister chamber agreement between CCCI’s President Chan and JCCI’s CEO Ms. Joan Warburton-McBride. EN