CCCI inks sisterhood deal with Indian chambers

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) has inked a sisterhood agreement with the ethnic Federation of Indian Chambers strengthening trade connections between Cebu and Indian businesses.

The agreement was signed by both parties during the recently concluded business-to-business matching event attended by the Indian delegation who visited Cebu on November 16, 2022.

“The sisterhood will serve as framework for future collaboration between our two countries such as cultural exchanges and trade mission,” said Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry Charles Kenneth Co.

According to Co, the Indian embassy has invited CCCI to visit India “and we will endeavor to gather a Filipino delegation to promote our products and services to India.”

Cebuano businesses are interested to explore business opportunities in India, particularly in pharmaceutical and Information Technology (IT) sectors.

Over 100 Cebuano business leaders attended the 1st Business to Business (B2B) matching event for the Indian Trade and Business Delegation and the Cebu businesses organized jointly by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (Phil) Inc. and the Embassy of India on November 16 (Wednesday), at the Seda Hotel, Central Block, IT Park, Cebu City.

From India were Indian Trade delegation comprised members of the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO), a trade promotion body, set up by the Ministry of Commerce Government of India supported by the Embassy of India, Manila.

A total of 22 multi-product companies represented various sectors, i.e. food and agro products; frozen bovine/buffalo and sheep meat; pharmaceuticals (medicine and food supplements); medical devices, surgical instruments, hospital equipment and human augmentation; textile, apparels and garments; auto components (brake and clutch linings for trucks, buses, etc); construction(ceramic and tiles); ceramic/porcelain wall and floor tiles; printing and packaging paper, toys and educational/recreational materials for children.

In the B2B Connect event, Co welcomed the Indian Trade Delegation and expressed interest in having more bilateral exchange of trade missions between India and Cebu having met with Nishikant Singh, First Secretary (Economic& Commerce) in the Embassy of India(Manila) earlier in August and FICCI President Rex Daryanani the prior evening .

Secretary Singh, articulated his gratitude to the Cebuano businesses for their overwhelming response and conveyed that the event is a beginning of a partnership between the Embassy and Cebu Chamber.

Among the delegates were Anantya Bionics, a manufacturer of medical devices and hospital equipment, agri-businesses such as Fair Exports and Carnefresh exports which showcased their abundant bovine meat for worldwide consumption; Crescent Impex, Balaji Chawal, Green Agri Corp, MinalAgri, MS International, Tucuxi Overseas and VRD Best Foods with their products on rice, vegetables, soya feeds, dairy products, processed potatoes, peanuts, among others.

Gurvinder Singh Sachdev from Standard Friction Components showcased their unique product lines: brake and clutch linings for heavy trucks, buses, cranes, and industrial applications; while Vitaegsis Wellness Pvt Ltd for food supplements; Jagdamba Paper Corporation for all kinds of paper and board products. Areya Packaging Pvt Ltd (PepPlay) on educational tools, doodle marts, art and craft activities, puzzle books, and Libero Export House for ceramic wall and floor tiles, porcelain tiles, sanitary wares, and others, and lastly Next Move for their vegan(millets) and dairy products.

Indian companies are demonstrating maturity in the international markets and are successfully operating in both developing as well as developed markets.

The presence of Indian IT-BPM companies such as Wipro and Tech Mahindra speak well as proofs of dynamic and committed Indian businesses in the global economy.