Big trade mission led by Hawaii vice guv to visit PH

HONOLULU – More than 30 business executives led by Hawaii’s lieutenant governor are going to the Philippines February 7 – 17 for the 25th Trade Mission of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCCH).

The trade mission’s goals include increasing business activity by promoting Hawaii and the Philippines as investment and tourism destinations, encouraging trade and economic activities across the Pacific region, and strengthening business links between Hawaii and the Philippines.

It will be visiting major cities that are experiencing tremendous economic activities and emphasis on renewal and green technology namely: Manila, Camarines Norte (Labo and Daet), Cebu City and Palawan. Most recently the last two cities were included in the nine places chosen as possible venues when Philippines will host the 2015 APEC Summit.

Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui will lead the delegation with Honolulu Philippine Consul General Gina Jamoralin.  Also accompanying the delegation is County of Kauai Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr.

This will be the second time Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui will be leading a trade mission delegation.

County of Kauai Mayor Carvalho said he was looking forward to “this incredible opportunity to build upon our cultural and economic ties with the Philippines through a direct connection with the President.  We greatly value our sister city relationships in the Philippines, and see this as a way to expand upon those connections to our mutual benefit.”

A diverse group of business interests is represented, among them:

Anacleto “Lito” Alcantara, president & CEO of Group Builders Inc. (general contractor in the construction business for the past 30 years);

Jon Matsuoka, president & CEO of Consuelo Foundation (implemented the Typhoon Haiyan Disaster Response Project in the Philippines called project H.O.P.E. which stands of Haiyan Operations for Protection and Empowerment);

Joey Alcantara, president of First Pacific Builders (Guam based contracting company);

Patrick O’Brien, C EO of Security Resources (leading security systems integrator in the Pacific Region with offices in the Philippines);

Vernon Wong, SVP and manager of First Hawaiian Bank (Certified Financial Planner) to name a few.

Also, joining the delegation is James Handsel of the Rotary Club of Kapolei Sunset, who is the club services committee chairman (initiated the Book 4 Kids Project to ship books to the Philippines).

The 25th trade mission will make courtesy calls on various high-ranking Philippine government officials, namely, President Benigno S. Aquino III; Vice President Jejomar Binay and former President and now Mayor of Metro Manila Joseph “Erap” Estrada.

The visit in Manila will be highlighted by a business conference with members of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and a hosted welcome dinner reception (“Aloha Night”) on February 10, at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati.

FCCH President Paul Gaerlan Alimbuyao (VP & manager of First Hawaiian Bank) indicated that this year’s mission theme is “Strengthening business links with the Philippines.” The visit, he said, will also be a chance to share Hawaii’s experiences in hosting the APEC Summit in 2011 considering that the Philippines will be the host country for the 2015.