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International Middle East Phils-Saudi Arabia Bus. Council
International Middle East Phils-Saudi Arabia Bus. Council
Phils-Saudi Arabia Bus. Council
 A memorandum of agreement was signed between the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI) on 15 June 1999 calling for closer economic partnership between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On 23 September 2002, a follow-up agreement was signed by the two chambers establishing the Joint Philippines-Saudi and Saudi-Philippine Business Councils to act as an implementing body for joint business endeavors. On 06 May 2006, a cooperation treaty was forged by PCCI with the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) to expand our trade presence in Saudi Arabia and be able to be involved in the numerous projects that are now being undertaken in the Kingdom. Ms. Ma. Luisa Romero, President of Elite Travel Center, Inc. and Mr. Benjamin Philip Romualdez, President & CEO of Benguet Corporation, are the PSBC Chair and Co-Chair, respectively. The Council presently has thirty-one (31) business executives and entrepreneurs from the following industries: Travel/Tourism, Manpower Recruitment, Pharmaceuticals, Food and Beverage, Beauty Products Preparation, Real Estate/Construction, Airfreight Forwarding, Engineering/Financial Consultancy Services and Trading. PSBC had spearheaded three outbound missions to the Kingdom in September 2002 led by former President Fidel V. Ramos; September 2003, and October 2005, which coincided with the 2nd RP-KSA Joint Commission Meeting (JCM). In reciprocal visit to these missions, CSCCI organized a high-level delegation to the Philippines covering Manila and Davao cities on 27 February – 03 March 2005 led by CSCCI Chair Akhalid Kanoo. Presidents and CEOs of companies engaged in Industry Investment, Telecommunication, Manufacturing, Tourism, Information Technology, Trading, Garments, Foodstuffs, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Travel Agency, Real Estate and Recruitment joined the important visit. Business seminar, one-on-one business meetings and visits to selected companies were the activities crafted for the visiting Saudi group. The 1st JBC meeting was convened in Manila of which the agreed points are the following: 1. Each council will form their respective 10-man steering committee; 2. There should be continuous exchange of information as well as trade facilitation to obtain beneficial results for both sides; 3. JBC will give priority to Food, Tourism/Travel, Furniture, Exhibition, Recruitment and Investments to have more focus in the implementation and coordination of activities; 4. The holding of trade missions should coincide with major events and should be incorporated in the official itinerary; 5. Publicity on the visiting delegation should be worked on to generate more awareness from the local businessmen. 6. Specific business interests of delegates should be provided in advance to allow the host council to invite the target counterparts and achieve successful matching. On the occasion of the 2nd JBC meeting, the following items were discussed and unanimously agreed upon by the two parties: 1. Regarding the issue on the formation of the Joint Investment Cooperation, both sides agreed that more study on the administrative and financial framework of the same is needed. 2. On the issue on obstacles faced by the non-oil Saudi export products to the Philippine Market, the Philippine side requested for the list of these non-oil products which could be exported to the Philippines and most probably, the Philippine Business Delegates could become the business representatives of the Saudi manufacturers in the Philippines to market and promote these products. 3. Both sides recommended to hold meetings with the Department of Health and the Bureau of Food and Drugs Administration within three months to discuss important issues regarding fish products, food labeling, processing and the standardization of the certification of the export products. Both groups are also recommending that representatives of the Joint Business Councils be invited and be involved actively in the discussions and resolutions of the concerns of this particular sector. 4. Regarding the issue on Filipino labor and manpower in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, both sides agreed that a review of policies that hinders the smooth deployment of Filipino workers to the Kingdom should be implemented. Both sides agreed that in the coming government meetings regarding Filipino workers being deployed to Kingdom, representatives from the Saudi and Philippine Business Council side be invited and take an active part in resolving critical issues and concerns. 5. Regarding to the issue on the GAMCA medical decking system, both sides objected to the decking system imposed by the medical clinics in conducting examination for workers bound for the GCC countries. Both sides recognize the right of both governments to select and to accredit medical clinics that can be authorized to conduct examinations on the workers. However, the final selection as to which medical clinic the workers will submit themselves for examinations should remain the prerogative of the workers or by the entity paying for the examination.
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PHILIPPINE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
3rd Floor, ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City
Tel. No.: (632)896-4549 * Fax: (632)899-1727
3rd Floor, ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City
Tel. No.: (632)896-4549 * Fax: (632)899-1727
E-mail: pcci@philippinechamber.com
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