Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Amanda Gorely
(Photo Courtesy of the Australian Department of
Defence)
|
DAVAO CITY (May 27, 2018) - A number of Manila-based Australian investors are looking beyond the National Capital Region to find business opportunities, the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines said.
Ambassador Amanda Gorely said this in an
interview shortly before the opening program of the Philippines Australia
Friendship Day celebration held at the SM Lanang Premier in Davao City on
Saturday.
"Once they come into the Philippines they
realize it is not all Manila because there are other opportunities in other
parts of the country too," Gorely said.
She added: "Although I am not sure but I
think there is a tendency by Australian business people to focus on Manila when
they think about the Philippines because it is where the biggest market
is."
She said a number of NCR-based Australian
companies have already expressed intention to put up shop in other locations,
such as Cebu and Mindanao areas.
She pointed out that several Australian firms
have business interests in Mindanao's mining sector, though she conceded that
Australia still has "some works to do to encourage further Australian
interest" in the countryside.
"We have to educate people on what
opportunities are here to consider beyond Manila and Cebu. And I think Davao is
the next place to come," she said.
A huge potential, she said, is Mindanao's rising
cacao industry - citing the popularity
of chocolate products in Australia. She pointed out that a number of cacao
farmers benefitted from the Australian scholarship -- where farmers were
provided insights on marketing and packaging of their products.
Another active partnership is the collaboration
between the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources
Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST-PCAARRD) on a mango research center in the Island Garden City of Samal.
The research center was established eight years
ago, focusing on raising the skills and knowledge of local growers for them to
tap overseas markets.
Among the activities marking the 72nd
anniversary of the Philippine-Australia Friendship Day include the unveiling of
Australian corner in the Davao City Library, the turnover of books and
educational materials to several public schools and handover of grant to the
Philippine Eagle Foundation.
The embassy also hosted a lecture on how
Filipinos can study in Australia, as well as mall tours highlighting the
accomplishments of Australian-educated Filipino entrepreneurs. A concert capped
the event featuring Filipino and Australian singers. (Digna Banzon/PNA)
Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte visited
the HMAS Adelaide, the largest ship ever built for the Royal Australian Navy
(RAN). Welcoming the President on arrival were Australian Ambassador Amanda
Gorely, Australian Chief of Defence Mark Binskin and Commander Joint Task Group, Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2017, Captain Jonathan
Earley (RAN). Read more here.
Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte visited the HMAS Adelaid (Photo Courtesy of the Australian Department of Defence) |
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