The Philippine Embassy in Rome and Confindustria conducted a pre-travel briefing to Italian companies joining a business mission to the Philippines in November.

Confindustria is the biggest organization in Italy representing Italian manufacturing and services companies with currently 149,000 companies as voluntary members.

Eighteen Italian companies attended the pre-travel briefing, representing varied sectors such as renewable energy, construction, defense industrial automation systems, airlines, services and architecture.

Infrastructure Tourism Agriculture, Mining and the 3Fs Fashion Food and Furniture were specifically identified as the main sectors with the highest potential for Philippine Italy business engagement.

Philippines Ambassador to Italy Virgilio A. Reyes Jr,; lawyer Ferdinand Tolentino, deputy executive director of the Public-Private Partnership of the Philippines; and Jose Antonio Buencamino, commercial counselor of the Philippine Trade Investment Center in Rome (PTIC-Rome), presented a holistic and detailed picture of the recent economic developments and potential in the country, the PPP program, and practical tips on how to do business in the Philippines.

From Manila, trade and Industry Undersecretary Cristino Panlilo, the Italian Ambassador to Manila Luca Fornari and representatives from the Italian Chamber of Commerce, the European Chamber of Commerce and Italian businesses already operating in the country participated in the pre-travel briefing via teleconference. 

Source: Business Mirror; Special Feature; 19 September 2012