PRBA to push Cebu products in Russia

CEBU, Philippines - Aside from promoting tourism and drawing in investments from the Russian market, the Philippine-Russian Business Assembly will likewise promote Cebu furniture, home furnishings, and fashion accessories to the untapped Russian consumers.

PRBA founder and Russian Federation honorary Consul Armie L. Garcia said that the organization will work hand-in-hand with the government to help push Cebu-made products in Russia.

"It’s just a matter of tapping government funds in promoting our products to Russia," said Garcia in an interview.

Garcia who also owns a fashion accessory exporting company said, the concern now is more on the unrecovered furniture export sector. She said unified promotion on this sector is important, saying "I don’t want the skill to be wasted."

According to Garcia PRBA will soon organize a promotional event to showcase these good products once again to the Russian market.

She mentioned that three years ago, a group of exporters and her office tried to tap the Russian market but failed.

Garcia said, although the previous promotions were successful because it was done under "diplomatic cover," the consistency was not sustained because it was all private-sector led initiative.

Thus, she said there is a need to involve the government in this bid, just so to save the good furniture brand of Cebu.

This time, she said there is a need to strengthen the promotional activities in Russia, with emphasis of boasting the good quality furniture and home decors made in the Philippines, specifically Cebu.

Fashion accessories on the other hand, is expected to thrive despite the difficult world market, but the furniture sector needs more help.

Likewise, she said she is trying to tap the visiting tourists here to see the beautiful pieces of furniture, home decors and accessories as part of their travel itineraries.

Russia is the world's ninth-largest population, could be an important target market for exporters, she concluded.  (FREEMAN)