DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 07 February) – Business executives in Davao City and their counterparts from Hawaii held exploratory talks for possible joint ventures, following the signing of a sisterhood pact between the city and Country of Kaua’i on Monday, a business leader said Wednesday.
Arturo Milan, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. president told MindaNews that the business executives’ meeting centered on the areas of agriculture, energy, and tourism.
The three-page sister city agreement signed by Mayor Sara Duterte with County of Kaua’i mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. aims to promote mutually beneficial cooperation and deeper understanding through an exchange of ideas in the fields of tourism and culture, agriculture, and trade and commerce.
Both parties agreed to exchange tourism practices and cultural preservation; share methods used to attract and maintain tourist interest, including the promotion and preservation of their respective cultures; promote respective sister city and support easy access.
On agriculture, the parties would endeavor to share and exchange ideas on agricultural enhancement systems and programs since both areas “are blessed with spectacular natural panoramas and lush vegetation.” Both parties may provide an exchange in the necessary machines, crops, and products that are lacking within their partnered city.
Both will also maintain open communication in terms of potential business ventures, investment, and product trade.
Milan described the new partnerships as a strong indication that the city is now being considered as a safe and secure place and attractive destination for investments.
“I have high hopes that there will be more foreign businessmen coming to Davao City to explore business opportunities in the coming days,” he added.
Mayor Sara Duterte said the city is a “friend to everyone” and that it welcomes opportunities to establish and boost linkages that strengthen relationship with different cities.
“It is our responsibility to make sure that we become open to different cultures so that we can have wide perspective on how we can improve our service to the community,” she said.
Both parties signed the agreement almost a year after a trade mission of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii led by Carvalho visited Davao and extended a friendship certificate to signify their interest in establishing a sisterhood relationship with the city.
Carvalho said they look forward to sharing knowledge on agriculture and enhancement systems, including technology and products.
“We to broaden communication fields to promote best practices in fields that are to each other,” he added.
He described the sisterhood agreement as about “partnerships, coordination, and collaboration, and cooperation.
” (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)
