Roundtable with Chinese firms starts
The Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual who is part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s delegation to China has commenced its first roundtable discussion with Chinese companies involved in the mining, agriculture and energy industries.
George Barcelon, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., said about 40 Filipino company owners were to visit a semiconductor firm in China on the second day of their itinerary.
“The DTI has set three roundtable discussions with Chinese businessmen talking about agriculture, energy, and mining. These are lined up for tomorrow’s discussion,” Barcelon said in a television interview on Wednesday.
Before leaving for China, Pascual said the DTI has organized a series of roundtable meetings for the President during the state visit with major Chinese companies with existing and planned investments in the Philippines.
This includes key sectors of complementation with China, specifically agribusiness, renewable energy, steel making, nickel ore processing and battery production and electric vehicle manufacturing.
Chinese importers of tropical fruits from the Philippines will also participate in the meetings, he added.
The President’s visit to China, he said, also aims to build on the country’s export gains and further strengthen relationships with key partners in China to help the Philippines realize this additional export potential.
Own dealings
Barcelon, however, said they will not be joining the President in some of his meetings, as business leaders are set to have meetings on their own in terms of trade and industry.
“We have with us Filipino business leaders in the mining and energy industries to collaborate with Chinese businesses. For the energy sector, we will have discussions with solar, wind, and other renewable energy. While for agriculture, we have companies in the export of fruits as they want to expand the market potential in China. We were a pretty good mix of sectors who are here,” he said.
Aside from fruits, he said, the Philippines can benefit from China through the tourism industry.
“With the opening of China and in dealing with Covid 19, I think tourism is the industry we have to capitalize on. I hope we can also capture the electronics and light industries,” he added.
China’s National Health Commission said that starting on 8 January, they will scrap all quarantine measures for Covid-19, including requirements for inbound visitors, both foreigners and Chinese nationals.