GOVPH

Consul General accentuates long ties and bountiful prospects with Shanghai in Jiefang interview

SHANGHAI –  Consul General Josel F. Ignacio cast the spotlight on the Philippines’ long-standing and economically rewarding bonds with Shanghai, in a recently featured interview with the Metropolis’ leading broadsheet, Jiefang Daily (解放日报).

Dating back to 1949, Jiefang is the official newspaper of the Shanghai Committee of the Communist Party of China. It is published by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, with a circulation of 700,000 daily, Shanghai’s largest.

During the two-hour interview, Consul General Ignacio underscored the considerable weight exerted by Shanghai in overall Philippine-China relations. “Shanghai, a municipality, accounted last year for 35.11% or USD 12.95B of all Philippine trade with China -- second only to Guangdong, an entire province”, he touted.

The Consul General expects this share to climb even higher under the facilitative environment under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and as the Philippines intensifies exports to – and through – Shanghai. “Shanghai is a huge market”, he highlighted. “But it is also a strategic entry point by air and sea for our products bound for the larger Chinese market, and beyond that, possibly even to Central Asia.”

Consul General Ignacio also impressed upon Jiefang’s readers the Philippines’ early display of confidence in the just-opening China of the 1990s, via companies such as Liwayway China Co. Ltd. (Oishi) and Metrobank China. “Their entry encouraged other foreign MNCs to similarly venture into Shanghai.” 

Over the course of the interview, the Consul General also shared his positive impressions of the city; the vibrant community of talented Filipinos; and the Philippines’ targets for the upcoming 6^th China International Import Expo (CIIE) on 5-10 November 2023.

The interview was preceded by a photoshoot for an accompanying video feature. For the venue, Consul General Ignacio opted for two buildings in the former International Settlement that originally housed the Philippine Consulate General: the Palace Hotel in 1948, and the Hamilton House in 1949.

The feature was part of the paper’s “conversation” series featuring select Consuls General from Shanghai’s 77-misison strong corps of consular missions. Mr. Ignacio became the first Philippine Consul General to be so featured by Jiefang Daily. END

PCG, Robinsons Land prospects space for collaboration

SHANGHAI –  Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) China executives – Country GM Mr. Kenneth Chan, Shanghai/Taicang Acting GM Ms. Ginny Tang, and Business Development Director/Owner’s Representative Ms. Rhea Andrada-Gourley called on the PH Country Team in Shanghai on 24 October.

Receiving them were Consul General Josel F. Ignacio, Consul John Francis S. Herrera, PTIC Head Commercial Consul Glenn G. Peñaranda and PTIC assistant Wang Yanxia.

Robinsons Land China, also locally known as Ding Fēng Dìzhì, has commercial, residential and mixed-use real estate projects across China, including Shanghai, Xiamen, Chengdu, and Taicang. Its most recent endeavor was the CNY 1.8-billion residential development Chengdu RLC Ban Bian Jie.

RLC has seen great success in its China projects. Consul General Ignacio commended the company for being at the vanguard of Philippine companies venturing overseas, including China.

The PCG, Philippine Trade and Investment Center, and RLC discussed avenues for collaboration to raise the Philippines’ business profile and footprint in China, and to broaden the consumer base for Philippine goods. They agreed to consider promotional events at Robinsons Mall in Shanghai (138 Chengzhong Rd, Jiading District), a landmark that opened in 2007. END

Filipino Fair 2023 fosters entrepreneurship among Filipinos in Shanghai

Shanghai – Overseas Filipino entrepreneurship via the “Filipino Fair” of the Philippine Chamber of Business and Professionals in Shanghai (PHILCHAMSH) made a strong comeback on 22 October.

Held at the premises and grounds of Bubba’s Restaurant in Jing’an District, Filipino Fair 2023 saw Shanghai-based Filipino small and micro enterprises display their wares and merchandise to the warm reception of about 500 visitors during the afternoon affair.

On hand to lend support were representatives of the Philippine Consulate General led by Consul John Francis S. Herrera, Philippine Trade and Investment Center Chief Glenn A. Peňaranda and Tourism Attaché Ireneo H. Reyes.

A Pinoy-style “boodle fight” and ceremonial chopping of the centerpiece roasted suckling pig (cochinillo) by PHILCHAMSH and PCG officials heralded the event’s commencement.

On the restaurant complex’s sprawling grounds, the booths of more established Filipino companies such as Liwayway China Co. Ltd., (Oishi), Dai-Ichi Electronics Shanghai Ltd., Tanduay Rum, Philippine Airlines, and Century Tuna stood side by side with up-and-coming players such as organic skin salve Bebebalm.

Smaller Filipino-run mom-and-pop enterprises also made their presence felt with their own delicacies and wares. 

Completing the Filipino atmosphere were games and entertainment courtesy of Shanghai’s vaunted Filipino musicians. 

Filipino Fair 2023 was staged by PHILCHAMSH also in cooperation with umbrella organization Filipino Community Shanghai (FilComSha).

Supporting Philippine business and activities that engender an entrepreneurial and investment mindset among the Filipino diaspora in Shanghai are among the Consulate General’s priorities.

Shanghai is an important market and gateway into China for Philippine products. In 2022, it accounted for 35.11% of the country’s total trade with CN of almost USD 40 billion. END