Tuesday, October 07, 2008 Russian, S. African trade missions create new markets, opportunities
THE trade missions to Russia and South Africa, participated in by local business players last month, would bring opportunities and open new markets for Cebu products and services.
“For us to be able to tap the Russian market, we have to be aggressive in penetrating it. Our cooperation with the business community in Vladimir and Moscow is important, crucial and strategic given the economic crisis in the United States,” said Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Eric Mendoza in a phone interview.
Mendoza was part of the Cebu delegation to Russia that was headed by Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation Armi Garcia. The group left Cebu last Sept. 18 for a series of discussions, exploratory meetings and agreement signings in Vladimir and Moscow.
The trip, said Mendoza, was “very wonderful and fruitful” because memorandum of agreements were signed between Cebu
industry representatives and Russian business leaders.
He said the agreements would spur development, diversification and economic cooperation.
“It is to our advantage to be able to promote local products and services to a very big market like Russia that has more than 130 million people,” he said.
The delegation, which included Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and other officials of the Provincial Government, also inked an academic partnership between Vladimir State University and the University of San Carlos and the University of San Jose-Recoletos.
Mendoza said a 300-member Russian delegation is expected to visit Cebu and participate in a forum here. Cebu business representatives will also get the chance to join an exhibit in Moscow next year.
The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), on the other hand, declared the 10-day trade mission to
Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa a success.
“The trade mission to South Africa was a success. The country is full of potentials and expect to see our furniture, dried mangoes and other Cebu products to be sold there soon,” said CCCI-South Africa Business Council Carmel de Pio-Salvador in a statement.
CCCI reported that the delegation found probable partners in South Africa, especially in the food, beverages, retail, logistics and furniture sectors, which prompted initial negotiations during business matching sessions. The trade mission also noted opportunities in the home furniture manufacturing industry.
CCCI also disclosed that Philippine Ambassador to Pretoria Virgilio Reyes Jr. will showcase Cebu products and services during the Asia+Expo this month. He will also bring South African businessmen to Cebu in January next year under an exchange visit program.
“The holding of the South Africa Food and Wine Festival at Marco Polo next month is the best sign that the South African market will focus on Cebu as their area for promotion and trade,” said CCCI. (NRC)
