Three Cabinet secretaries of President Duterte participated in the Dubai Expo 2020 (which started on October 1, 2021 until March 2022) to promote investments, trade and infrastructure opportunities for businessmen and investors participating in the world expo. They are Public Works Acting Secretary Roger Mercado, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez and Information Secretary Martin Andanar.
AS the Duterte administration nears its end this June, three Cabinet members refuse to just sit idly by.
They joined the Dubai Expo 2020 to sell Philippine products, infrastructure projects and services to ensure that they could leave a lasting contribution to the economy after they bow out.
The Duterte officials were acting Public Works and Highways Secretary Roger Mercado, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez and Information Secretary Martin Andanar.
The Philippine delegation to Expo 2020 Dubai held meetings with top government and business officials of the United Arab Emirates and discussed ways to strengthen trade, investments, and economic relations.
(World Expos are one of the oldest and largest international events on the planet, taking place every five years and lasting six months. Expo 2020 runs from October 1, 2021 to March 2022).
Worth mentioning among the accomplishments of the delegation is the forging of $580.5-million worth of investment commitments.
Two important trade and investment documents were signed with the UAE government.
These are the Philippines-UAE Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and the launch of negotiations for a future Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the Philippines and UAE.
Unknown to many, Mercado took the Expo 2020 Dubai-- where prolific business opportunities are forged -- as an opportunity for the Philippines to present on the world stage, the resounding development of Philippine infrastructure.
Mercado participated in high-level meetings with prominent UAE government and business leaders.
He showcased the Philippines massive infrastructure development turned into a tangible reality under the President Duterte administration and encouraged the UAE government and business leaders to explore investment collaboration under the BuildBuildBuild infrastructure program to further strengthen the Philippines- United Arab Emirates bilateral relations.
Through the pavilion named Bangkóta--an ancient term for coral reef--the Philippines presented contemporary expressions in architecture, art and design that links the deep past with the future of connectivity for the Filipinos. The pavilion proves to be an excellent showcase of the country’s rich history and heritage, presenting the contemporary Filipinos and those of the future.
Last February 12, Mercado addressed the Dubai International Conference of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) – Dubai Chapter. The UAP has established itself as one of the finest associations in the Philippines, demonstrating not only prowess, but a resolve in cultivating unity within the architecture profession locally and abroad like in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Tags: #DubaiExpo2020, #Cabinetsecretaries, #tradeinvestmentsandinfrastructureopportunities, #worldtradeexpo