CCCI eyeing Europe for next trade missions

CEBU, Philippines —  Although China and other ASEAN countries are currently the favorite trade mission destinations of Philippine businesses, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI)  is eyeing Europe for its next trade missions starting next year.

CCCI president Antonio Chiu said that Europe is re-gaining its appeal to local businesses.

However, while the plan is still raw, Chiu explained that the chamber still has to consult with its members as to what countries in the European continent that offer good business viability for Cebu businessmen.

With over 6,000 products under the new European Union's Generalized System Preferences Plus (GSP+), the EU delegation recently urged businesses in the Visayas, including Cebu to take a serious look at Europe as a good market to drive export growth.

European Delegation headed by Ambassador Franz Jessen said Europe's door is open for businesses in the Visayas to take advantage of the 510 million consumers in the EU.

As an economy, Jessen said EU is growing pretty well, and that it is therefore a good time for Visayan businesses to enter in the European market with practically all the potentials products under zero or minimal tariff.

EU is the Philippines' second largest export market, and it targets to overtake Japan as the country's number one export market before the end of this year, said Jessen who head the EU Delegation.

Cebu for instance can take advantage of several products that are in demand in EU, such as electrical machinery and equipment, machinery and mechanical appliances, animal or vegetable fats and oils, furniture; lamps and lighting fittings, edible fruits and nuts; vegetables, fruits, nuts and plants; among others.