Arab investors explore trade prospects in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Delegates from the Kingdom of Bahrain and representatives from 32 Arab states are in Cebu today to explore business opportunities in Cebu, as well as invite Cebuano capitalists to invest in the Middle Eastern countries.

Organized by the Bahrain World Economic Summit, (Philippines) Inc., (BWES-Phils),  the "Arab-Philippines Business Summit Roadshow" at the Marco Polo Plaza, is the first and the biggest venture on interconnecting the Philippines, Bahrain and other member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that consists of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE and Oman, to facilitate the development and advancement of their economies.

In a press conference yesterday, BWES-Phils spokesperson Edward Keith Garciano Capoy delegates from the Ministry of Agriculture in the Kingdom of Bahrain, member of the Royal Family prominent businessmen and executive from the Bahrain World Economic Summit will be in Cebu this Monday to connect with the Cebuanos traders.

Capoy said the summit also aims to promote mutual trade relations between the Philippines, while there are strong interest from Arab countries to invest in the Philippines and partner with Filipinos, as well as opportunities for Filipinos to invest in Bahrain and the member countries of the GCC.

Middle Eastern investors are now looking at putting their money to other continents especially Asia.

In the Philippines, Middle Eastern capitalists re most likely to invest in infrastructure, agriculture, marine products, among others.

The Summit in the Philippines that will also be set in Manila after holding it in Cebu in partnership with the Philippine Chamber of commerce and Industry (PCCI), is in preparation for the bigger show on April 9-12 (2013) the Arab-Phils Business Summit in Bahrain.

Bahrain is ranked 1st out of 17 countries in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region, and its economic freedom score is well above the world average. In a region experiencing an oil boom, Bahrain has the fastest growing economy in the Arab world.

BWES and BWES-Phil Inc., have collaborated together with other partner organizations such as United Nations Development Organization (UNIDO)- Bahrain, Bahrain Ministry of Industry of Commerce, Bahrain Ministry of Interior- customs affairs, Bahrain chamber of commerce and industry, Bahrain Economic Development Board and Great Adventures and Great Adventures and Concept @ Work. (FREEMAN)