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Friday, April 30, 2004
RP furniture makers urged to buy timber from Laos
WITH the total log ban implemented in the country, Philippine Ambassador to Laos Antonio Cabangon Chua said furniture makers here may get their supply of timber and lumber from its Southeast Asian neighbor.
Chua said he will invite furniture makers to Laos so they can import timber and lumber from there.
“Our furniture is of good export quality, but makers are running out of raw materials. Aside from the hard wood in Laos (being) best for furniture making, Laos is presently the only country exporting logs,” Chua said.
Chua believes timber and lumber from Laos are cheaper compared to from other countries like Malaysia and Indonesia.
Cebu exports furniture to many countries.
Malacañang has instructed Chua to help furniture makers procure raw materials for their products. He arrived in Cebu early this week for this purpose and to find business opportunities in Cebu.
Chua himself is engaged in the hotel, real estate, insurance, country clubs, travel agency, theater, media and bank businesses. He owns Fortune Life Insurance, Eternal Memorial Plans, Eternal Pension Plan, Eternal Educational Plans, Home Radio and Cherry Blossoms Hotel.
“I also encourage Filipino businessmen to invest in Laos,” Chua said.
Chua was accompanied by Armando Trinidad, president and chief operating officer of Fortune Life Insurance and president of the Insurance Institute for Asia and the Pacific in Manila.
Trinidad said they are visiting the branches of their businesses to look for opportunities.
“We are planning to put up the Eternal Memorial Park in Cebu. We already have one in Manila and in Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija, Dagupan in Pangasinan, Biñan in Laguna and in Batangas,” Trinidad said.
Cyrus Marquez, assistant vice president of Fortune Life Insurance, Visayas-Mindanao sales, said Chua is looking for places here where Laos businessmen could invest in.
Marquez said Chua is looking for business opportunities for restaurants, hotels, memorial gardens and golf courses. EOB
(April 30, 2004 issue)
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