Russian Diplomat Sees Potential Growth in Trade and Tourism in Cebu

Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev believes that there is a big potential for trade and tourism growth between Russia and the Philippines.

On September 9, his Excellency Igor Khovaev, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, Consul Armi Lopez Garcia, the Russian community in Cebu and other officials gathered to lay wreath on the bust of renowned Russian Novelist Leo Tolstoy during his 193rd birth anniversary at the Museo Sugbo in Cebu City.

Khovaev said that there is a common interest between Russia and the Philippines since there is already an existing sisterhood agreement between Cebu and St.Petersburg.

Photo by Aljun Cainghog

“The Province of Cebu and many Russian regions, they have a great potential. I believe that there is a great potential because Cebu and St. Petersburg are drivers of economic development, trade and are cultural capitals of the Philippines and Russia,” said Khovaev.

Khovaev also said that they will conduct a visit soon to discuss potential business opportunities between Russian and Filipino entrepreneurs.

“Quite soon we hope to arrange a visit of Russian business delegation. We, Russians wanted to open to our Philippine business partners including the establishment of joint ventures and other Russian technologies,” Khovaev added.

Meanwhile, Consul Armi Lopez Garcia said that tourism and culture plays a big role in the aspect of diplomacy.

“Tourism and culture is really the gateway towards better trade development and trade investment because tourism is the platform where you really have this ‘people-to-people contact’, you get to know each other through tourism,” Consul Garcia said.

Photo by Aljun Cainghog

Consul Garcia also added that they already collaborated with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to come up with more great strategies.

“We already started working with the Department of Tourism and the strategy really here is to connect Cebu as the entry point with the far eastern side,” added Consul Garcia.

Meanwhile, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia said that the whole province of Cebu is a great destination when it comes to tourism.

Photo by Aljun Cainghog

“First of all when we speak of tourism I hope we will not only be limiting the tourist sites to Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City because I have always pushed for countryside tourism giving our towns in the entire island the opportunity to be noticed and to show off also,” Governor Garcia said. (MLC)