Tony S. Peralta, chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP)-Southern Mindanao Business Council, was appointed as Honorary Consul of Finland for Mindanao.
Peralta said with this appointment comes the opportunity to further promote two-way bilateral trade between Finland and Davao City and as well as Mindanao.
“It is indeed an honor to be appointed as the Honorary Consul for Finland in Mindanao. With this appointment comes the opportunity of further promoting two-way bilateral trade between Finland and Davao City and as well as Mindanao,” he told Edge Davao.
Peralta said he sees good prospects in environmental technology in the area of reforestation in Davao City’s critical watersheds and water management. He said these are timely given the strong challenge of climate change to Mindanao as an agricultural economy.
“The prospects of cacao exports to Finland is also a good opportunity. The advancement in food packaging technology is a good opportunity for Davao and Mindanao businesses to consider,” he said.
He also said that the promotion of investment prospects in Davao City to Finnish businesses is a continuing process that hinges on the competitiveness of the city to attract potential business locators.
Peralta said that the other important factors that have led foreign businesses here are the landmark legislation on the amendments to the Foreign Investment Act, and the Public Service Laws among others.
He is among the business leaders in Davao City who have been chosen as honorary consuls for Mindanao namely Joji Ilagan Bian for Bangladesh, Mary Ann Montemayor for Hungary, Dr. Malou Monteverde for Mexico, Naty Fortich for Spain, Simon Bakker for the Netherlands, Dr. Peter Faistauer for Austria, Rowena Vida-Lisbona for Denmark, Jorge Marquez for Israel, and Guilbert C. Go for the Czech Republic.
“We need the connection to more countries so that there are more opportunities,” Peralta said.
His formal inauguration will take place once Ambassador Juha Markus Pyykkö comes back from his overseas trip.
“Yes it’s already official as the appointment to the position has been recognized by the DFA. It’s only the formal inauguration of the office here in Davao City, which will be graced by the ambassador,” Peralta said.
In close partnership with government, businesses, civil society, and academia, ECCP passionately works to enhance the business environment for both European and Filipino companies.