French business delegation due in Davao City
DAVAO CITY — A delegation of French investors is set to arrive in this city to explore business opportunities, the city government confirmed following Mayor Sara Duterte- Carpio’s meeting with French Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Laurent Le Godec on Monday.
A statement from the City Information Office quoted Mr. Le Godec as saying that the delegation will participate in a business forum that the city government is planning for foreign and local investors.
The forum, with the date and venue still being finalized, is intended for local and foreign businessmen “to find room to expand their economic cooperation.”
Mr. Le Godec said the French investors are coming “to see for themselves what projects they can put up” in the city.
He also told Ms. DuterteCarpio that cultural ties can be strengthened with the city’s hosting of the annual French Film Festival.
Meanwhile, the city government also said that the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last week is expected to usher in more investment.
“We are confident as Davao City has successfully gained more interest from the Japanese businessmen,” said Lemuel G. Ortonio, head of the Davao City Investment and Promotions Center, who was among those who briefed the Japanese business delegation on opportunities in the city.
In the briefing, Mr. Ortonio detailed the investment areas that the city government has identified as priorities. These are: agriculture; tourism and recreational facilities; light manufacturing and assembly; property development; health and wellness; education; sports facilities; environmental protection- related projects; information and communication technology; new sources of energy; and transportation and infrastructure.
The city government said among the Japanese companies that were represented in the meeting were Marubeni Corp, Mitsubishi Corp, Itochu Corp, Sumitomo Corp, Toyota Motor Corp, and Mizuho Financial Group. —