Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Miguel Utray Delgado engages the business sector in the city, as he graces the Business Forum, an activity organized by the Zamboanga Economic Zone and Freeport Authority in collaboration with the City Government Friday, March 1 at the West Corporate Center, Zamboecozone First Industrial Park in San Ramon.

After the forum, the envoy, together with other officials visited the Permex canning factory where he discussed with the company manager Edgar Lim about the sardine industry with Zamboanga being known as the “Sardines Capital” of the country.

The forum, aimed to promote business opportunities within the Ecozone and in Zamboanga City, likewise strengthened efforts in supporting and promoting deeper business relations between Spain and the Philippines particularly Zamboanga City.

Ecozone Chairman and Administrator Raul Regondola, in a presentation, highlighted the facilities, infrastructures, programs, and incentives available for locators or registered businesses within the ecozone.

City Investment Promotion Services Division chief Raisa Fernandez discussed the ease of doing business in the city and the incentives that the city can offer to potential investors.

For his part, Atty. Carl Andrew Rubio, President of the Zamboanga City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc., emphasized that the forum was also a way of appreciating the efforts of Spanish Ambassador Miguel Utray Delgado for visiting Zamboanga.

He noted that the visit would help identify business opportunities in the agro-industrial, eco-tourism, manufacturing, and fishing industries, which the Spanish government can soon relay to the respective business sectors in that country. He likewise expressed confidence that the visit of the Spanish envoy as well as that of European Union Ambassador Luc Véron would change international perception on the security situation in the city and other parts of Mindanao.

Present during the forum were City Councilor Vincent Paul Elago, Executive Assistants William Mariga and Ron Jacob Orendain, as well as representatives from the business sector, personnel from the offices of the City Investment and Tourism, and other stakeholders. (Bernadeth Lazaro)