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Business chamber anticipates direct flights, expanded economic ties as China opens consulate in Davao City
By Carmelito Q. Francisco, Correspondent
DAVAO CITY — The local business sector is exploring joint ventures with Chinese investors as China prepares to set up a consulate office in the city, its third in the country outside Metro Manila.
Arturo M. Milan, president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII), told BusinessWorld that he has also initially discussed with Chinese Consul General Li Lin the possibility of launching direct chartered flights to ferry both tourists and investors.
“We are hoping the trade and tourism chartered flight will take place this year so that we can start discussing with the Chinese the possibility of coming up with joint venture projects in agriculture, manufacturing and tourism,” said Mr. Milan in an interview on the sidelines of the recent DCCCII membership meeting.
In a speech during a meeting of the business group last week, Mr. Lin said that Chinese businessmen are looking at investing in “agriculture, fisheries, wastewater treatment, infrastructure and construction, manufacturing, tourism.”
He urged the local business sector to work with him in promoting cooperation.
“I have a lot of work to do to promote and consolidate this good relationship,” he added.
Mr. Milan said having a consulate in Davao City, the hometown of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, would encourage and facilitate more tourism and business links between China and Davao as well as the rest of Mindanao.
The establishment of the Chinese consulate was planned following Mr. Duterte’s visit to China in October 2016.
In a joint statement at that time, the two countries said: “Proper arrangements for the diplomatic premises in both countries will be made in the spirit of the 1975 Joint Communique, on the basis of international practice and reciprocity, with priority for the most immediate concerns.”
China’s other Philippine consulates are in Cebu and Laoag.