Saudi businessmen

Saudi businessmen RP business opportunities

Sumptuous dinners may not always make or break a business deal, but good food, served well, is invariably a charm. As are high-profile guests who deign to grace such occasions.

That may have been what the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Embassy of Saudi Arabia had in mind when they hosted a dinner reception recently at the Dusit Nikko Hotel in Makati City for the Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Among the distinguished guests of the evening were former President Fidel V. Ramos, Senator Edgardo Angara, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Dr. Parouk Hussin and socialite Rose Marie "Baby" Arenas.

The 17-person delegation, led by Mr. Waleed Al-Swaidan, chair of the Saudi-Philippine Business Council, arrived in Manila last February 27. They attended the PCCI business conference held at the Manila Peninsula Hotel on February 28 and March 1 in order to look into trade and investment opportunities in both the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. Manpower and the food sectors were identified as among those that generated the highest interest between both parties.

The Mindanao Business Council also invited the Saudi delegates and H.E. Ambassador Mohammad Ameen Wali to Davao City to meet with local businessmen. A few of the delegates stayed behind to explore potential investments in agriculture.

No contracts have yet been signed but the PCCI is optimistic that the Manila-Davao sortie will yield the expected results.

(First published in What's On & Expat on March 20-April 2, 2005)