Australia eyes growing trade opportunities in Cebu
Australia is set to strengthen trade linkages with Cebu as it looks to the Queen City of the South for emerging trade opportunities and toward tapping the potentials of Cebuanos.
Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell, on his first official visit to Cebu, said that “Filipinos –particularly Cebuanos – have great potential for productivity and quality output. Australian business is already here in Cebu, tapping into the creativity and industriousness of its people, as evidenced by the investment last year by West Australia-based global shipbuilding firm, Austal, of the former FBMA Marine shipyard and commencing its first shipbuilding project for 2012 right here in Cebu. But there are also opportunities for other industries in and from Cebu that we are excited about.”
The Ambassador was in town to join the team from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) in Cebu, led by Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner Anthony Weymouth. The Ambassador and Mr. Weymouth met with leaders from the Cebu business sector and with local policy-makers to explore trade possibilities. The visit was held to coincide with the annual Cebu Business Month (CBM) initiated by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).
The trade officials identified opportunities in the food industry, furniture, tourism and business process outsourcing as some of the key areas for Cebu that already enjoy good reputation and have further potential.
“We’re looking not just at bringing in new products and technologies from Australia but also Australian investment that will create jobs in Cebu and open third party markets for the products and talents that are expertly Filipino, proudly Cebu-made,” Mr. Weymouth added.