The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Riza Lozada
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business organization, met with a delegation sent by the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation last week to discuss expanding of business relations in both countries.
The Russian delegates discussed the capacity of Russian companies to participate in infrastructure projects like transport systems and power plants.
Mentioning that they have industrial projects in Asean countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia, the Russians sought chamber assistance to get to know how business works in the Philippines and be oriented on the process of breaking into the Philippine markets.
The PCCI and its subsidiary, the Philippines-Russia Business Council, were interested in clarifying customs and phytosanitary rules for mangoes, bananas and other fresh Philippine fruits and in meeting with reliable buyers or traders of farm products.
Both sides recognized the need for reliable port calls by ships and low- cost and short routes between Vladivosok and Manila.
The presentations were attended by PCCI executives George T. Barcelon (president), Ambassador Benedicto Yujuico (chairman) Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr (treasurer), Ramon Escueta, Angelito Colona, Roberto Amores, and Bernardo Benedicto III.
Among the members of the council at the meeting were Roberto de Venecia., Ricardo Penson, Philip Ong. Whelma Lanzuela, Roger Oriel, Noel Ty, and Leo Riingen.
The Russians were led by Minister-Counsellor Vadim V. Velikanov of the Russian Federation embassy. Representing the Department of Foreign Affairs was Teddy Pavon.
Representing SkyGreen Imp orts were Roberto Robes, Vincent Robes, Maria Rita Ros and John Henry Yap.
The PCCI said it will help in gathering the Philippine delegation that will accompany President Duterte when he makes a state visit in Moscow in the spring.
The Russian ministries said they will anticipate the visits and make arrangements for meetings.
President Vladimir Putin of Russia sent the delegation in response to an invitation by President Rodrigo R. Duterte made during 2016 Asean summit in Laos.