The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China through their Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Zhou Zhiyong, met with Mayor Sebastian Duterte on Tuesday afternoon to discuss further bilateral relationships and possible trade partnerships.

Included in the itinerary of the Chinese delegation was a visit to a durian farm in the city, with prospects to sign more agreements in the near future to export Davao’s king of fruits to many parts in China. “You have high quality durian and fresh durian is being exported to China with one percent of our total population consuming this fruit”, Mr. Zhiyong told the Mayor during the courtesy call. China currently has a 1.4 billion population and thus, around 14 million are already tagged as durian consumers.

Mr. Zhiyong confirmed this is his first time and first posting in the Philippines and in Davao. He was accompanied by 2nd Secretary Kan Shilai and Attache Wu Xiaoyi, both from the Embassy of the Peoples’ Republic of China in the Philippines.

The city’s high-quality young coconuts and tuna were also shipped for the first time in China. Other agricultural products are also eyed to be exported in the coming years such as mangosteen.

China is currently working with our local governments to push for the early landing of cooperation agreements on major infrastructure projects as well as the continued export of Davao’s fruits and agricultural products.

The Mayor lauded China’s plan to expand the export of our city’s major agri products, saying their team is very specific and always makes follow through with existing (and future) agreements concerning trade and commerce.

Davao currently has sister cities in China— Nanning and Jinjiang. A delegation from Jinjiang was recently here to sign a framework trade agreement on economic partnership last February 28 to deepen practical and economic cooperation between China and Davao in the field of economy, trade, and business.

Senior Trade Commissioner Guy Boileau of the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines visits Davao City on February 21-22 to “listen and hear about the opportunities or businesses in Davao City to be in collaboration with businesses in Canada.”

During the courtesy meeting with Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte, Mr. Boileau said that their mission is to promote Canada-Philippine Commercial Relationship. The Senior Trade Commissioner discussed interest in various areas including agriculture, BPO outsourcing, agri exports, and education.

Energy sources, particularly solar farms were discussed, with the Senior Trade Commissioner citing special interest in the industry.

Mr. Boileau added that they recently had high-level economic dialogue with the Philippine government where collaboration on infrastructure, culture, education, agriculture and security were discussed.

Prior to the courtesy call Mr. Boileau and Embassy representatives attended an Investment Briefing with the Davao City Investment Promotion Center. The embassy also organized a Business Forum on February 22.

Twenty-five Czech business leaders together with seven members of the Czech parliament including the Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies were in Davao City on February 16 to attend the very first Czech in Davao Business Forum held in Dusit Thani Hotel.

H.E. Ambassador Jana Sediva of the Czech Republic to the Philippines was also present together with key officials from the Embassy who worked closely with the Davao City Investment Promotion Center and the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc to put together the said forum. Deputy Speaker Jan Skopecek of the Czech Chamber of Deputies opened the event.

Also present are leaders in Davao’s business scene and some local officials including DCIPC-OIC April Marie C. Dayap, Councilor Bernie Al-Ag and Coun. Marissa Abella.

After a presentation of Investment opportunities in Davao City, a business matching was held to encourage exploration of partnerships among Czech and Davao participants.

LOOK | A delegation from the City of Victorias, Negros Occidental headed by Mayor Javier Miguel L. Benitez had a Courtesy Meeting with Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte today, February 7, 2023.

One of the matters discussed in the meeting was the possible sister city agreement between Davao and Victorias.

His Excellency Marat Pavlov, Russia’s Ambassador to the Philippines paid a Courtesy Call to Mayor Sebastian Duterte during the former’s visit to Davao on February 7, 2023. The Russian envoy was accompanied by his wife, Irina and members of the Russian Orthodox Church.

During the exchange, Ambassador Pavlov remarked that a possible area for exploration is the use of atomic or nuclear energy in terms of preservation of food and agricultural products. “Recognizing that Davao has many agricultural areas, this technology can help increase incomes both for the citizens and those doing business; further, the application of nuclear energy to make durable conservation of food products is highly recommended.”

In addition, a center will also be built in Davao, as proposed by the Russian Orthodox Church, who presented the building’s lay-out and architecture.

Primarily, the structure will be a venue for socio-cultural exchange and will serve as educational hub for the people to people exchange component between the two parties. The Center will also be a venue for ‘spiritual healing’ and will house a feeding center, among others. Mayor Duterte said that he would consider the proposal and will try to look for an area where the said structure can be constructed.

“We are open to do partnerships and business with any foreign partner which can be good for Davao especially in terms of employment, well-being of the citizens and economic growth. What can be applied to Davao in terms of technology such as in our transport modernization efforts are highly welcome.”

Ambassador Pavlov, in turn, pledged to promote the Philippines, Davao in particular, to Russian tourists. Both leaders committed to closely coordinate with each other after areas of cooperation in technology, economy, transportation and socio-cultural, as well as people to people exchange were proposed.

Russia’s donation of Sputnik vaccines to the Philippines at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic was also acknowledged during the meeting. #

The new Consul General of Malaysia in Davao City Deddy Faisal Bin Ahmad Salleh met with Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte on January 25, 2023 at the Davao City Hall for a Courtesy Meeting.

During the meeting, Mayor Duterte and Consul General Salleh expressed intent to strengthen linkages between Davao and Kuala Lumpur through various cooperations, including tourism promotions.

ConGen Salleh says that the upcoming MICE Convention in March and Halal Expo in May in Davao is a good opportunity to further promote Davao City to Malaysians.

Mayor Duterte says that Kuala Lumpur can be a good alternative destination for Dabawenyos who like to travel, aside from the usual choices, since it is cheap to travel and experience KL.

The possibility of reopening the Davao-KL flight was also discussed, with the Consul General expressing great interest in it.

Mayor Duterte says that he is willing to send people to Malaysia for events and exploring cooperations.