Monday, September 15, 2008
African trade mission
A GROUP of 25 Cebu-based individuals will leave for a trade mission in South Africa on Friday.
The group, whose companies are members of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), will stay in South Africa for nine days not only to enjoy the country’s tourism sites but also to explore possible long-term trading partnerships with companies there.
The CCCI organized the South African trade mission to allow its members to establish ties with their counterparts in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa.
Cristina Lo, vice president of furniture manufacturer and exporter Coast Pacific Manufacturing Corp., said she is interested in discovering new markets for the company’s indoor and outdoor furniture. She hopes to increase the Coastal Pacific’s client base.
“With the furniture industry quiet these days, we need to keep moving and find ways to cut through the supply chain so that more companies in countries like South Africa can afford our quality products,” she said.
Allan Limas, executive vice president outdoor furniture exporter Factory Direct Ventures Co. Ltd., said South Africa holds a lot of opportunities, especially when it will be hosting the FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) World Cup in 2010.
Growing market
“It’s a growing market for what we do, with the hotels and resorts they will be putting up. Our product, the outdoor furniture, is also suited to their climate,” he said.
According to the CCCI, Philippine trade relations with South Africa is growing, in terms of exports—such as garments, houseware, holiday decorations, toys and dolls, fashion accessories and furniture, among others.
A 2005 World Bank report ranked South Africa as among the top 30 countries in the world for ease in doing business, which can be attributed to its economic policies, legal and business environment, infrastructure, access to markets, trade reform, free trade agreements, industrial capability, technology and competitiveness.
Like most of the delegates of the CCCI trade mission, Lo and Limas will be first-time visitors of South Africa. Still, they are optimistic to return home on Sept. 28 with hands full of established business partners and contacts, product orders and a long list of Africans interested to invest in Cebu. They will have a series of meetings with key government officials and business leaders, company visits, country briefings, site visits and social activities.
Other companies that will join the trade mission are: Dynasty Management and Development Corp., Premiere Beverage Corporation, Holister Inc., Northern Transcription Works Inc., Global Carrier (Philippines) Inc., Granstar Motors and Industrial Corp., Alenaire Cebu Inc., Alen International Industrial Corp., ACI Distributors Inc., University of Southern Philippines Foundation, Deloitte Touche, Muntuerto Management and Development Corp., Signal Trading Corp., Profood International Corp., Cebu Hong Tin Soy Factory Co. and Johndorf Ventures Corp. (NRC)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (September 15, 2008 issue)
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