Russians have long shown interest in investing in the Philippines, especially Cebu, in various business ventures such as waste-to-energy projects, infrastructure, medical technology, tourism, and private-public partnerships (PPP).
That is why, the Russian government has invited officials from Cebu Province for an official visit to renew ties and for Gov. Gwen Garcia to attend and speak in one of the biggest international economic forums which will be held in St. Petersburg next month.
Cebu has long established its relations with Russia when in 2009, during the time of Gov. Gwen Garcia's first three terms in office, she signed a sisterhood agreement with St. Petersburg with then Governor Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko who is now a Senator and the Chairwoman of the Federation Council (Russian Senate).
However, that agreement expired after five years and was not renewed as Gov. Garcia was no longer in office then.
This year, that agreement will be renewed after Governor Garcia receives an official invitation from the Government of St. Petersburg and the Committee for External Relations of St. Petersburg to visit Russia next month from 1 to 9 June 2024.
"In particular, we would be pleased to see you in St. Petersburg from 3 to 9 June 2024 to hold talks with the leadership of the Northern Capital and sign an updated cooperation agreement between our regions," the invitation added.
The letter is a follow-up on Russian Ambassador Marat Pavlov's invitation which he personally extended during his visit to Capitol last January.
𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒓
Aside from renewing its sisterhood relations, Gov. Garcia was also invited to speak before the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, an annual Russian business event in the economic sector, which has been held since 1997.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is among the officials expected to appear in the forum.
Earlier, Gov. Garcia's discussion with the Russian envoy to the Philippines included the possibility of establishing direct flights from Russia to the Philippines that will help Cebu's tourism and in the country. Cebu, likewise, is also interested in the Russian market who are known to be long-staying and high-spending tourists.
𝑺𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅𝑨𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕
Cebu and St. Petersburg first signed their sisterhood agreement in 2009 during Garcia’s term, to expand their cooperation in the fields of tourism, socio-cultural and economic development. When the governor exited in 2013, the deal was no longer renewed.
St. Petersburg is Russia’s second most important economic, scientific, and cultural center after Moscow.
The Philippines is best positioned for Russian investments, given its strategic location in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) region and its workforce advantage. | PIO