FIL-Chinese business group keeps pushing PH economy forward

DESPITE the deteriorating diplomatic ties between the Philippines and China, the Fil-Chinese community headed by the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), is persisting in its mission to forge closer people-to-people relationship between the two countries and in restoring business confidence in the country’s future.

Last October 19, the Federation successfully hosted the ASEAN-Chinese Business Leaders’ Summit and the ASEAN-Chinese Business Forum in Manila under the theme, ‘Leading ASEAN Forward: Innovation, Resilience, and Regional Collaboration.’ The initiative is part of the country’s ASEAN chairmanship this year.

In a statement, the Federation said the gathering “aims to strengthen commercial ties, open markets for Filipino enterprises, attract productive investments, and promote the Philippines as a destination for tourism, business expansion, and regional partnerships.”

Federation President Victor Lim said one of their key goals is to promote the Philippines as a destination for investment, trade, and tourism.

“The country offers opportunities in electronics, food processing, agriculture, infrastructure, renewable energy, logistics, digital services, and tourism, while Filipino small and medium-sized enterprises can gain access to ASEAN regional customers, distribution networks, technology, and partnerships,” he added.

“The country’s human talent, entrepreneurial spirit, natural resources, and strategic location offer investors access to skilled workers, regional markets, and promising industries.

“Turning these Philippine advantages into productive enterprises and quality jobs, however, requires continued improvements in infrastructure, affordable and reliable electricity, logistics, workforce development, and a predictable, transparent business environment,” Lim stressed

Distinguished speakers and business leaders

Key speakers and guests include Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.; Jose Ma. A. Concepcion III, chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council; Verna Esmeralda Buenasuceso, Undersecretary for Data Analysis and Knowledge Management at the Department of Trade and Industry;

Atty. Rogelio V. Quevedo, Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission; and Ernesto Tan Mantiong, Global President and CEO, Jollibee Group.

Also featured are, Michelangelo Samson, chief executive officer of Standard Chartered Bank–Philippine Branch; George Barcelon, council member of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council and council member of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines;

Justin Uy, chairman and president of Profoods; Dato’ Jeffrey Lai Jiun Jye, vice president of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) and managing director of Kuopacific Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.;

Chia Kim Huat, chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry; and Kyaw Win Aung, vice president of the Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce and chairman of Diamond Dragon Co. Ltd.

Their participation connects government, finance, agriculture, industry, and regional business networks to identify opportunities for trade, investment, and economic cooperation.

The twin event showed the persistence of the Fil-Chinese community and its leaders to shield and promote the country’s business and economic potential as the Philippines and China saw their diplomatic relationship plummeting with some Filipino officials and legislators openly calling for the expulsion of Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan and his declaration as ‘persona-non-grata’ (‘unwanted person’) and Beijing warning that it is ready to reciprocate any drastic action from Manila.