Delegates attend the “ASEAN Investment Promotion Conference — Dezhou City” (Conference) conducted on 18 May 2023 at the Fengguan Holiday Hotel in Dezhou City, Shandong Province, China.

Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew J. Marcos Manotoc delivers his welcome remarks during the Conference.

Minister and Consul Rodillo R. Catalan from the Philippine Embassy in Beijing delivers a speech during the Conference.

Shandong Province Vice Governor Wang Guiying (Left) welcomes Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew J. Marcos Manotoc (Right) during the event.

18 May 2023   DEZHOU, SHANDONG PROVINCE, CHINA – Officials from the Philippine Embassy in Beijing and Ilocos Norte Province promoted investments and cooperation during their participation in the “ASEAN Investment Promotion Conference — Dezhou City” (Conference) conducted on 18 May 2023 at the Fengguan Holiday Hotel in Dezhou City, Shandong Province, China.

The Philippine delegation was headed by Governor Matthew J. Marcos Manotoc for the participants from Ilocos Norte Province, and Minister and Consul Rodillo R. Catalan for the delegates from the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, respectively.

The Conference was co-hosted by the Dezhou Municipal People’s Government, Department of Commerce of Shandong Province, and the Secretariat of the China-ASEAN Expo. Under the theme of “Embracing New Opportunities for a Shared Future with RCEP”, the event aimed to: a.) Comprehensively deepen cooperation with ASEAN countries in various fields; b.) Continuously expand economic and trade exchanges with RCEP member states; and c.) Build an important hub/central city in northern China in connecting with ASEAN countries. Participants during the Conference comprised of officials and representatives from the Shandong Provincial People’s Government, Dezhou Municipal People’s Government, Ilocos Norte Province of the Philippines, business associations and chambers of commerce from ASEAN countries , as well as ASEAN Embassies in China .

Ilocos Norte Governor Marcos Manotoc highlighted in his welcome remarks the long-standing positive relationship between Ilocos Norte and Shandong Province as “Sister Provinces”, noting that the two (2) provinces have continuously deepened cooperation in numerous fields. He added that the development momentum has grown stronger since the establishment of the “Sister City” agreement over twenty (20) years ago during the time of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who was then Governor of his province. Governor Marcos Manotoc vowed to: a.) Further strengthen cooperation; b.) Increase the participation of both sides in various fields; c.) Provide good opportunities for enterprises; and d.) Strive for long-term and sustainable economic development.

In his speech at the Conference, Minister and Consul Rodillo R. Catalan underscored that the partnership between the Philippines and China remain steadfast and strong, having economic and trade cooperation being a salient component of this relationship that features great resilience and vitality. Encouraging more investments in the Philippines, Minister Catalan stressed that the Philippine delegation values the continued close collaboration with Shandong Province and Dezhou City in promoting increased engagements with the business community in numerous key areas of cooperation. He likewise affirmed the Philippine Embassy’s commitment in promoting and enhancing Philippines-China, ASEAN-China, as well as Philippines-Shandong and Philippines-Dezhou friendly relations towards more active cooperation in trade, economic, cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

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