Philippine-Russian business forum in Cebu

Russia is one of the world’s largest and most attractive emerging markets, and also one of the hardest to penetrate. On August 7, 2009, the Philippine-Russian Business Assembly (PRBA) will present the Philippine-Russian Business Forum 2009 at the Cebu International Convention Center. This is a rare and timely opportunity for local businessmen to interact with Russian delegates and discuss the future of business ties between the Philippines and Russia.

The event is open to all international and local registrants. It will be the first formal international dialogue between Filipino and Russian businesspeople. The event opens doors to networking opportunities among businesspeople from the two countries, information on doing business in each country, investment facilitation, and promotion of companies and individuals through the Forum directory and membership in the PRBA.

The registration fee is P2500 for local delegates and $250 for international or Russian delegates (without tour package). Deadline for registration is July 31, 2009 to receive a free company listing in the Forum directory, which will be distributed at the Forum proper. Those who register after July 31 will not be included in the directory. All delegates will receive one year free membership to the PRBA.

Guest speakers include Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Edsel Custodio, who will talk on the Philippines as Gateway to ASEAN-Russian Cooperation, representatives of the Board of Investments to discuss the Philippines’ Investment Promotions Plan for 2009.

The welcome speech will be delivered by Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation Armi Lopez Garcia, while Governor Gwen Garcia will give the formal address, welcoming all delegates to the Province of Cebu.

The keynote speech will be delivered by no less than the President of the Philippines herself, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Tourism Secretary Ace Durano will also make an appearance, to talk on Investment Opportunities in Philippine Tourism. The open forum will feature representatives from key sectors of cooperation: tourism, energy, mining, professional services/ business process outsourcing, real estate, construction, import-export, accounting, finance and taxation.

All delegates will be entitled to the following benefits: (1) Inclusion in the Official Directory of the Assembly (printed in Russian and English), which will be uploaded to the PRBA website and will be distributed to various chambers of commerce in Russia as well as embassies and other government offices; (2) Long-term access to information on the Russian and Philippine markets, (3) Long-term assistance with linkages between Russians and Filipinos; (4) Member-companies can use the PRBA logo in their promotional materials; (5) Inclusion in PRBA’s email/newsletter list to receive updates; (6) Filipino members will be prioritized for invites to Trade Missions to Russia; and (7) Russian businesspeople will come to PRBA requesting linkages with Filipino members.

Register online at www.prbai.com or at the local payment centers at the PRBA and Russian Consulate offices in Cebu and Manila. For more information, e-mail the Forum secretariat at [email protected].

For credit & collection questions and inquiries, call or text 0917-7220521 or email at [email protected]