Cebu Chamber eyes new markets to boost international trade links

CEBU, Philippines - As the economies of the United States (US) and Europe continue to struggle, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is looking at other emerging markets to boost international linkages.

Following the recently concluded trade mission in the north American region, which included Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, CCCI president Samuel Chioson said there is a big potential for Cebu to strengthen ties in this continent.

During the trip, CCCI forged a formal trade linkage with Chile-based traders through the National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism of Chile.

Chioson said the chamber’s target country for trade mission next year, include Eastern Europe as well as Middle East, “we would establish connections with our counterparts there.”

Aside from government-to-government sisterhood agreement, Chioson said CCCI will be forging more trade partnerships with business and trade groups in other countries, just like what it recently did with Chile.

Because of its formal linkage with the National Chamber of Commerce, Service and Tourism of Chile, Chioson said a group of businessmen from Chile is set to come to Cebu next year, in time for the Cebu Business Month (CBM 2012) in June, to meet with the Cebuano traders and counterparts.

“There are a lot of businessmen in Chile who expressed interest to do business with Cebuano traders.,” Chioson said in fact, some of them are interested in investing into real estate, trading, and tourism, among others.

Likewise, Chilean businessmen also see good market potential in the Philippines to sell their well-known products such as wines, pet food, machineries, and dairy products, among others.

Aside from interest in real estate, Chioson said Chilean businessmen also expressed interest in Cebu’s furniture, gifts-toys-houseware products, processed and dried fruits.

Despite the distance, Chioson said Chilean traders displayed willingness to pursue stronger ties and mutual promotion of products and services between the two chambers.

“We see a lot of opportunities in this two-way process of linking with Chilean businessmen. We being in Asia where economic development and growth is expected to come in the coming years, and them being a new emerging market for our local businessmen,” Chioson said.

Members of the National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism of Chile are also now organizing a trip to Cebu in 2012 for the Cebu Design Summit and again in 2013 to attend the Confederation of Asia Pacific Chamber of Commerce and Industry Conference where they will again hold more business matching in Cebu.

Chioson said they would continue to build links and open new markets through more trade missions next year.

Meanwhile, Chioson also encouraged the public sector to strengthen free trade agreements (FTAs) between governments.

“At present we think that FTAs are currently being drafted for these countries. It will be a big help if we can have FTAs as soon as possible so that we can expect more active trading between us and Chile,” said Chioson. (FREEMAN)