18 February 2025
KOLKATA — Businesses from India's economically vibrant West Bengal state are eager to explore growth opportunities from enhanced interactions with the Philippines.
Such high level of interest was palpable at the “Special Session on Promoting India-Philippines Partnership” hosted by the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce (CCC) on February 6 at The Park Hotel in Kolkata for a visiting Philippine Embassy team.
Led by Philippine Ambassador Josel F. Ignacio, the delegation included Third Sec. Atty. Melissa Anne M. Telan, Commercial Counsellor Eugenio D. Elevado, Jr., Attaché Rina Isabel P. de Chavez, and Attaché Bernard O. Cabal.
They were joined by Philippine representatives in Kolkata in the person of Consul General a.h. Deepak Kumar Khemka and Vice Consul a.h. Gaurav Khemka.
Before a CCC audience of corporate officials from around 30 enterprises, the Ambassador and Embassy resource persons delivered comprehensive presentations on the Philippines’ robust economic track record and fundamentals, attractive array of incentives, and sectors of opportunity and potential gain for Indian players.
Commercial Counsellor Elevado identified trade in agricultural commodities, fish processing, infrastructure, electric vehicles, pharmaceuticals, IT, semiconductors, and nickel value chain among the areas of substantial promise.
Economic Officer Telan followed up with presentations on the Philippine agricultural sector, highlighting market opportunities for Indian produce, industrial investments and technology. She then segued into openings for ventures in the Philippine tourism landscape and hospitality sector, with the potential for gains heightened by the imminent restoration of direct air connectivity, the Philippines’ introduction of the electronic visa for Indians, and the anticipated boost in two-way tourist traffic.
Consul General Khemka, himself a businessman, encouraged his colleagues in the business world to actively take advantage of the Philippines’ many strengths as they seek overseas growth markets.
A lively open forum concluded the proceedings, during which the Philippine team fielded questions from the participating enterprises.
The event was graced by no less than CCC President Hari Shankar Halwasiya and past President Mr. Mahesh Kumar Saharia, both of whom welcomed the Philippine Team’s engagement of Chamber members and expressed support for heightened trade and investment between the state and the Philippines. Also present were CCC Vice Presidents Anant Saharia, Annurag Jhunjhunwala and Purushottam Agrawal.
“We have entered a period and window of optimum opportunity for businesses on both sides to expand into each other’s markets”, Ambassador Ignacio proudly announced at the event, as he enticed West Bengal companies to turn to the Philippines for growth.
The Ambassador and his delegation were in Kolkata for the 8th Bengal Global Business Summit on 5-6 February, in which the Philippines participated for the first time ever as a Country Partner.
Founded in 1830, Calcutta Chamber of Commerce is the oldest Commerce and Industry Association not only in India and reputedly in Asia. END
