04 April 2016 – In a move to strengthen ties and capitalize on the first Pittsburgh Investment Roadshow held last October, Philippine Consul General to New York Mario L. De Leon reinforced ties between the Consulate General and the Pittsburgh business community in a meeting with Ms. Suzi Pegg, Vice President, Global Business Development of Pittsburgh Regional Alliance and did an interview with Pittsburgh television host Mr. Bill Flanagan of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.
Consul General De Leon recalled the mounting of the first Investment Roadshow last October, led by Philippine Ambassador Jose Cuisia, Jr. and Dr. Bernie Villegas, who presented the Philippine economic growth narrative alongside captains of industry from the Philippines before U.S. and Filipino executives. This effort clearly signals the Philippines’ active pursuit of partnerships in Pittsburgh and the Allegheny region, which is a growth region in the U.S. that has consistently topped business surveys because of its edge in the technology, biomedicine, healthcare, and electronics industries.
During the meeting with Ms. Pegg, she conveyed that the Regional Alliance and Allegheny Conferences are working together with the international community in Pittsburgh to devise opportunities, attract world-recognized brands, and become the hotbed of technology and business in the region. She also cited Pittsburgh as having been voted the “most livable city” in the U.S. for two consecutive years.
In the interview with Bill Flanagan, host of “Our Region’s Business” aired every Sunday on WPXI-TV (Channel 11.1), Consul General De Leon conveyed the Philippines’ phenomenal rise to become the second fastest growing economy in Asia to emerge as the new Tiger of Asia. The realization of the ASEAN Community in 2015 presents tremendous opportunities for investors and U.S. companies who are interested in trading within the ASEAN region. The Philippines is well-positioned to serve as a gateway to the 600-plus million ASEAN market, he added.
Consul General De Leon also mentioned the historic ties between the Philippines and the United States and that there is robust trade between the two countries, with hundreds of U.S. companies locating in the Philippine Freeport and economic zones while Philippine food brands have a presence in the U.S., particularly in the West Coast.
Later that day, Consul General De Leon, accompanied by Consul Felipe Carino, Trade Representative John Paul Inigo, and Filipino community members led by Teodora Schipper and her son, Marcel Schipper, paid a visit to Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto who recalled Consul General De Leon’s visit together with Ambassador Cuisia last year for the Investment Roadshow and acknowledged the Consulate General’s interest in Pittsburgh.
Ms. Teodora Schipper invited Mayor Peduto to attend and support the Filipino community’s activities this October to commemorate the FilCom group’s 60th year anniversary, coinciding with Pittsburgh’s bicentennial celebrations. According to Ms. Schipper, the community envisions a three-day celebration that will include a cultural presentation and trade fair.
Mayor Peduto welcomed the invitation to attend the FilCom activities and invited the community and Consulate General to engage Pittsburgh, which is looking for sister city arrangement opportunities and partnerships encompassing cultural, trade and business initiatives. END