PH delegation concludes trade mission to Russia
RUSSIAN Honorary Consul Armi Garcia, together with a Philippine delegation composed of businessmen from Manila and Cebu, came back from a successful nine-day business trip to Russia.
The delegation attended a trade mission in Moscow and St. Petersburg from June 14 to 22. It was organized by the PRBA counterpart in Russia, the Russian-Philippine Business Council.
The team was able to experience and enjoy the beauty of Russia with their trips to the country’s different well-known landmarks, churches and museums. They also got to experience a “white night,” when the sky remains bright even after midnight.
In a press gathering last July 16, delegates shared how the trip went. Officers of the Philippine-Russia Business Assembly (PRBA), such as treasurer Geronimo Sta. Ana and board of directors member Cesar Atienza were there.
Garcia said the country is suitable for Russian investments, considering the Philippines’ strategic location in the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean) region and the local workforce advantage.
Russians have shown interest in waste-to-energy projects, infrastructure, banks via conduits, tourism, private-public partnership, and retirement villages. For the latter, the Philippines is an ideal destination because of its tropical climate, natural scenery and hospitable people.
Sta. Ana said this opens opportunities for local property developers. “The village should have complete integrated activity with health, recreational and even a small hospital or wellness center that can take care of the needs of retirees,” he said.
Garcia added that Russians would surely love a retirement village by the sea. The consul said she is now arranging a sisterhood partnership between Parnas in St. Petersburg and Dipolog. (Sunshine Gelbolingo and Judiel Dal, USJ-R Mass Comm Interns)
