Biz delegation due here from Changchun China

Impressed by Cebu's trade dynamism during its participation in the 12th ASEAN Summit, the Changchun City government is bringing 110 Chinese traders, investors to Cebu this week to explore better trade partnership between Cebu and the city in northern part of China.

The government of Changchun City will hold its first China Changchun Investment and Trade Exhibit in Cebu this coming March 23 to 28 (2007) at the SM City Cebu Trade Hall.

In a press conference yesterday, Changchun Bureau of Commerce deputy director Tang Tiesheng said that exhibit will pave a way for closer relationship in trade between Changchun and Cebu as Chinese delegates will be exploring investment and trading opportunities in Cebu.

Aside from displaying different products from Changchun, Tang said some delegates may also be interested in investing into tourism related projects, real estate, and others.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial director Nelia F. Navarro said there are a lot of complementary moves that Changchun and Cebu could do, such as transfer of technology, trading of goods, while Cebu could also take advantage of Shangchun's strength in automotive, to develop a good automotive industry here.

The Changchun government-led trade and investment exhibition, is also co-organized by Huatong Trade and Exhibit Corporation (Philippines) led by Sunny Li.

According to Navarro, as China is tagged as an "economy to watch," Cebu should position now to establish a stronger trade and commerce partnership with different cities in China.

The Chinese delegation will be bringing in different product lines from China, such as RTW (Ready-To-Wear) items, textile, auto supply, machineries, electronics, pharmaceutical products, Chinese and western medicine, office-school-sports supply, tourism, housing and other real estate products, among others.

Tang said after the government leaders in Changchun discovered the economic and trade dynamism in Cebu, during their visit in the 12th ASEAN Summit, the first Cebu investment and trade exhibit was immediately planned.

In the past, most investments and trade exhibits from China were mostly (if not all) held in Metro Manila. This is the first time that Changchun organized an outside-Manila exhibit.

Tang added that the exhibit hopes to foster closer cooperation between the two cities (Changchun and Cebu), as the event has also gained full support from the Cebu City and Cebu provincial governments.

During the six-day exhibit which will formally open this Friday, the over 100 delegates will also explore on investment opportunities here in Cebu, most especially in the field of tourism, and commercial trading, said Li.

Tang added that Cebu entrepreneurs could also take advantage of the more than seven million population in Changchun as potential market for Cebu-made products, as well as tourism.