GOVPH

PCG, Century Pacific see ocean of opportunity for PH’s processed marine and other products

Consul General Josel F. Ignacio received Mr. Adrian Campillo, General Manager and Sales Director of Century (Shanghai) Trading Co., Ltd. and Century Pacific Foods Inc. (makers of Century Tuna) on a courtesy call on 20 February. Present were Philippine Trade and Investment Center Chief Mario C. Tani, Consul John Francis S. Herrera and Trade Assistant Ms. Vicky Wang.

Reiterating Century Pacific’s commitment to the Chinese market since its entry in the 1990s, GM Campillo shared the company’s plans to grow its products into global brands, and to further promote sales and market share in Mainland China.

Century’s banner brands include Century Tuna and 555 marine products, Argentina canned and frozen meat, Coco Mama coconut milk, Birch Tree powdered milk, Angel canned milk, and Kamayan condiments. In 2021, it launched its “Unmeat” plant-based line to warm reception. The company is looking bringing in more Philippine brands and products into China.

CG Ignacio welcomed Century Pacific’s resolve to grow its China business and to introduce more Filipino brands, assuring the company of PCG and PTIC’s full backing. “Century should inspire other Philippine companies to follow Century’s lead and adopt globally oriented growth strategies that gain visibility for our quality products”, he said.

CG Ignacio took the opportunity to thank Century Pacific for supporting and providing goods for the Consulate General’s emergency food aid to Filipinos in May 2022, during the Shanghai lockdown last year. END

Shanghai Entrepreneurs Association eyes upping investment engagement with PH

Enterprises affiliated with the vaunted Shanghai Entrepreneurs Association (SEA) are keen to explore investment and expansion activities in the Philippines and scaling up Philippines-China business and tourism contacts.

This was the central message of the SEA delegation that called on the Philippine Consulate General on 16 February. The delegation consisted of Shanghai Hengshun Travel (Group) Co., Ltd. Chairman Mr. DING Weijie (travel and tourism); Henan Province Entrepreneurs Group GM Mr. SHI Baofeng (business and cultural exchange); Management Consultant Mr. SHA Wenhao (IT and enterprise strategy consulting); Shanghai Zeyuan Group Founder Mr. SONG Haitao; Ebrun Business School VP Mr. WANG Jianping (cross-border e-commerce), Mr. XU Jun (property development). They were accompanied by. Ms. Sammi Wu, Deputy Secretary General of SEA’s International Department.

Receiving them were Consul General Josel F. Ignacio, Consul John Francis S. Herrera, PTIC-Shanghai Head Vice Consul Mario C. Tani and PDOT Officer Warren S. Palacio.

The SEA delegation was briefed on areas of synergy between the two countries, such as artificial intelligence, e-commerce, technology and innovation, infrastructure, and property development, among others. 

As an initial undertaking, both sides discussed the possibility of a SEA business mission to the Philippines within the year, in order to expose member-enterprises firsthand to the country’s strengths, investment policies and environment, industrial zones, and talent pool.

Founded in 2008, the SEA is under the oversight of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC). It counts over 1,000 members that include Shanghai’s most prestigious companies. The SEA also has close links with other chambers of commerce across China, some which are represented in its Board. END

PCG and pinoy educators in Shanghai bond in “Alab ng Pusò” fellowship

In a show of support for Filipino teachers in Shanghai, the Philippine Consulate General team led by Consul General Josel F. Ignacio attended the “Alab ng Puso” fellowship hosted by the Pinoy Teachers Association in Shanghai (PITAS) on 11 February.

Teachers make up a significant segment of the Filipino diaspora in Shanghai, the larger Yangtze River Delta Area, and indeed in Mainland China. Engaged in various fields, Filipino teachers are particularly preferred and sought after in China for their English language skills, which figures prominently in China’s drive to modernization and opening up. Their professionalism and high degree of competence have played an important part in raising the profile of the Philippines and locals’ overall high estimation of Filipinos.

PITAS and other teacher organizations have been valuable partners of the PCG in the latter’s initiatives to promote and raise appreciation for Philippine culture and Filipiniana among the Chinese and even within the community, especially Filipino children being raised in China.

The luncheon took place at Eat@Joe’s Diner in Jing’an District, one of few restaurants in the city serving popular Filipino dishes. END