Cytec Industries appoints Philippine local rep

New Jersey-based company Cytec Industries Inc., a global leader in specialty chemicals and materials used for various industrial applications, recently appointed Peti Trading Inc. as Philippine distributor of Cytec's line of mining chemicals.  The U.S. Commercial Service Manila, who facilitated this business matchmaking initiative through its Gold Key Service (GKS) program hosted the simple signing ceremony.  Cytec Industries was represented by its Asia Pacific Business Development Manager Ashley Stewart (seated, left) while Peti Trading was represented by one of its Directors, Mr. Freddie Cruz (seated, right).  Witnessing the signing are (standing l-r) Commercial Counselor Judy Reinke, Cytec's David Holt, Peti Trading's Rupert Celis and Commercial Attaché Tom Brennan.  This new partnership highlights Cytec's commitment to actively pursue the promising opportunities in the Philippine mining sector, which is enjoying a resurgence following a Supreme Court ruling relaxing foreign ownership restrictions. 2008.

Embassy representative optimistic about tourism growth between Hawaii and Philippines

Commercial Counselor Judy Reinke of the U.S Embassy Manila expressed support to Hawaiian Airlines during the recently concluded 15^th Travel Tour Expo, especially since the company would help boost tourism between Hawaii and the Philippines. Hawaiian Airlines, a leading international carrier, offers direct international flights from Manila to Honolulu, and vice versa.

"The US Embassy is excited that Hawaiian Airlines has announced its new service between Honolulu and Manila.  We are pleased to see another US carrier providing travel services between the US and the Philippines to meet growing demand, since travel is a great way to build deeper person-to-person ties between our two countries," says Reinke. Hawaiian Airlines’ maiden flight from Manila to Honolulu took off on April 17, 2008. Philippine ticket sales and support will be handled by Airbridge Travel Inc. 

CS Manila Briefs Future Business Leaders

CS Manila recently hosted a group of business students from selected Philippine universities who have been recruited by the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AMCHAM) for its Business Orientation Program (BOP). BOP, a one week immersion experience, aims to expose student participants to a wide array of business sectors and key industries where AMCHAM member-firms are involved.  Commercial Counselor Judy Reinke made a brief presentation about CS Manila and selected facets of Philippine-US trade relations, including challenges and opportunities faced by U.S. companies doing business in the Philippines.

Commercial Service Manila reaches out to Philippine Franchising industry

CS Manila reached out to the Philippine franchise industry by participating in a major franchise event that brought together about 400 members and guests of the Philippine Franchise Association from throughout the country. The attendees at this two-day event included foreign and local franchisors, master and unit franchisees, prospective investors, officials of different embassies, business management students, and some press members.

Senior Commercial Officer Judy Reinke was one of the keynote speakers at the opening of the 14th Philippine International Franchise Conference & Expo on July 13, 2006, which also included Dr. Robert Justis, Director of International Franchise Forum of the Louisiana State University. Mrs. Reinke's presentation touched on franchising trends in the region; successful franchising formulas; OPIC financing; and Intellectual Property protection. Her remarks were very well-received, and her ideas were quoted in an article published by the country's major local business daily, Business World in its July 14, 2006 issue.

The Philippine International Franchise Conference & Expo (PIFCE) is an annual event of the Philippine Franchise Association. The event was held at the Hotel Philippine Plaza.

IPv6 Summit and INNOFONE.COM LAUNCHED IN MANILA

The U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Embassy in Manila assisted California-based U.S. company Innofone.com launch its presence in Manila at a press conference on July 3 in Manila.

Alex Lightman, Chairman and Founder of Innofone.com made a presentation to launch the company's presence in Manila and announced the Innofone.com-sponsored conference IPv6 Summit, to be held in Manila November 7-8, 2006, Makati Shangrila, Philippines.

Innofone.com is the first public company focused exclusively on Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), the new Internet. The company plans to be among the first firms to produce highly secure operating systems, firewalls and messaging systems with IPv6 at their core.

Mr. Lightman is the Chairman and CEO of the IPv6 Summit, Inc. the leading organizer of international IPv6 events, and consultants to government and industry on IPv6 applications, training and promotion.

Alex Lightman is a leading writer and speaker on the future of technology and communications. He is the author of the books "Brave New Wired World: The Digital Big Bang and the Infinite Internet" and author of hundreds of articles on technology and business in such publications as "Red Herring," "Chief Executive" and "Internet World." A full biography can be found on Innofone.com.

Media interested in attending the event, or seeking further information should contact Ms. Aida Miranda of the U.S. Commercial Service at 888-6620, ext. 5821.

Commercial Service Manila reaches out to U.S. business community in Cebu City

Senior Commercial Officer (SCO) Judy Reinke recently visited FMC Marine Colloids, Inc., in Ouano, Looc, Mandaue City, Cebu. FMC Marine Colloids is a wholly owned subsidiary of FMC BioPolymer of FMC Corporation in Rockland, Maine, U.S.A. FMC Marine Colloids, Inc., is engaged in the production of carrageenan from the locally grown seaweed as raw material. The division of FMC BioPolymer is comprised of carrageenan, microcrystalline cellulose and alginate plants located in the different parts of the world. The three carrageenan plants are located in the USA, Norway, and in the Philippines.

Commercial Service Manila works with American companies such as FMC Marine Colloids, Inc., to pursue U.S. business interests in the Philippines. FMC Marine Colloids, Inc., contributes to nearly $2 billion in global sales. SCO Reinke also visited Fairchild Semiconductors, Lexmark International and Timex International, all located in Cebu, Philippines.

U.S. Environmental Technologies Trade Mission Successfully Completes Trip to the Philippines

A seven-company U.S. Environmental Technologies Trade Mission has recently completed a very successful visit to the Philippines to explore business opportunities. From May 2nd to 3rd, 2006, the trade mission, organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce, provided its members a chance to learn more about the Philippine market for environmental products, equipment, technologies and services, and to seek out potential distributors, representatives and sales opportunities.

At the conclusion of the highly packed two-day visit, Judy Reinke, Counselor for Commercial Affairs, U.S. Embassy, stated, “the visit of these U.S. company representatives demonstrated that American businesses are ready to share new technologies that mesh well with the Philippine government’s environmental goals. The excitement generated among the Trade Mission members as a result of their meetings underscored their commitment to strengthening business alliances between U.S. and Philippine firms.” She added, “the representatives of the participating companies left the Philippines armed with knowledge and trade leads. They are also pursuing distributorship agreements.”

The trade mission’s courtesy call to Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes was one of the highlights of the trade mission’s program. Ms. Reinke said “the warm welcome that Secretary Reyes gave the trade mission members and the opportunities discussed during the courtesy call boosted the confidence of the U.S. companies in the Philippine market.”

The seven-company trade mission came from across the US: Advanced Aquatics (Utah), Aquatech (Pennsylvania), CST Industries (Kansas), Environment One (New York), Epcon Industries (California), Nobel Systems (California), and Weather Modification (North Dakota). They offer dredging equipment, industrial water purification technologies, steel storage tanks, products and services for the disposal of residential sanitary waste, air pollution control equipment, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) consulting, and cloud modification and weather research technology. Further information on these firms or on other suppliers of U.S. equipment and technology can be obtained from the Commercial Service of the U.S. Embassy in Manila, or through www.buyusa.gov/philippines.

OPIC Taps Opportunities in the Philippines

March 2006- CS Manila recently facilitated a visit to the Philippines by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)to explore business opportunities and gather relevant insights into the the country's political and economic environment.

Senior Investment Insurance Officer Richard Abizaid spent three days in the Philippines following up on potential projects that would require OPIC's political risk insurance coverage, including a bulk water supply project in Northern Mindanao island and a rural electrification and livelihood project in the province of Palawan. Also, Mr. Abizaid took the opportunity to discuss trade and investment trends with contacts in the power sector and other key Philippine industries such as mining, renewable and alternative energy, agro-industry, logistics and transportation. U.S. mission members in Manila also briefed Mr. Abizaid on recent developments and how their effect on the country's political and economic landscape.

OPIC helps U.S. businesses invest overseas, fosters economic development in new and emerging markets like the Philippines, complements the private sector in managing the risks associated with foreign direct investment and supports U.S. foreign policy

Success at Worldbex 2006

U.S. Commercial Service Manila in cooperation with North Bay U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) and West Los Angeles U.S. TS Delia Valdivia, organized the U.S. Pavilion at WorldBex 2006, the 11th Philippine World Building and Construction Exposition. Eight (8) U.S. companies participated as full booth exhibitors and five (5) U.S. companies featured their products in the catalog show.

The show proved an excellent venue for the exhibiting firms, and solid trade leads were also developed for the catalog exhibitors supported at the U.S. Commercial Service booth within the U.S. Pavilion. One U.S. exhibitor reported on-the-floor sales and is also negotiating with a Philippine buyer for a potential distributorship arrangement.

Worldbex 2006, the largest building/construction industry show in the Philippines with about 800 exhibitors and 30,000 trade visitors, was held March 7-11 at the World Trade Center in Metro Manila. This highly successful event will likely lead to increased U.S. business in the Philippines for the participating U.S. building and construction equipment firms.

CS Manila's Post-Trade Show Help Highlights US Firm's Donation

In late 2005, CS Manila helped organize U.S. participation in the 8th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Council on Petroleum Conference and Exhibition (ASCOPE) which was held in the Philippines. One of the exhibitors recruited to the U.S. Pavilion at ASCOPE was OGRE Systems, a Dallas-based technology provider for the oil and gas and energy sectors. During the event, OGRE took the opportunity to launch CONTINUUM, a software solution that estimates, reconciles and manages oil and gas reserve assets. During the show, CS Manila CommSpec Edu Niala introduced OGRE System's David Douglas to Pan Pacific Industrial Sales Co. (PANPISCO), a Philippine distributor of safety and industrial products, which OGRE eventually appointed as its Philippine representative. After the show, CS Manila continued to touch base with OGRE and PANPISCO. Having welcomed CS Manila's initial support, the firm asked post's assistance in facilitating a donation of the CONTINUUM software to the University of the Philippines National Institute of Geological Sciences (UP-NIGS), which is the only Philippine learning institution that offers graduate courses in geology. OGRE's donation to UP-NIGS marks a milestone in the institute's history, and was commemorated by a handover ceremony at the American Business Center. Dr. Eddie Listangco, Director of UP NIGS writes CS Manila, "NIGS shall benefit from the donation and shall be thankful for your initiatives. It is also quite timely since there is renewed worldwide activity in petroleum. This is one of the areas that NIGS considers priority areas for development. Oil and gas is a promising sector in the Philippines especially after the Malampaya discovery."

San Francisco Earthquake Conference, April 17 – 22, 2006 San Francisco, CA

The “100th Anniversary Earthquake Conference -- Commemorating the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake” will be held in San Francisco, California from April 17 – 22, 2006). Sponsors include the U.S. Earthquake Engineering Institute, U.S. Geological Survey, Federal Emergency Management Agency, California Office of Emergency Services, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce – and a wide range of additional associations, public sector organizations and private sector companies.

The event is designed to bring together three major groups of international earthquake professionals (scientists, earthquake engineers and emergency planners). The Earthquake Conference will give many of these professionals their first chance to interact with other specialists within the broader community of earthquake professionals.

The conference has already attracted a great deal of international attention and organizers welcome additional foreign participants from the public and private sectors. Because the conference is broad-based, participants will come from a wide range of organizations—representing academia, the private sector, and national and local governments. In order to attract as many overseas participants as possible, conference costs have been kept very low--only $US150 for one-day registration, and US$ 550 for the entire conference. In addition, some transportation assistance may be available for earthquake specialists from less developed countries.

For online registration, please go to webpage http://www.1906eqconf.org/fullconfReg.htm.

For questions regarding the registration process, please send an email to
Ms. Juliane Lane.

CS Manila Expands Cooperation with Trade Show Organizer

U.S. Commercial Service (CS) Manila will hold a catalog show at the 11th Philippine World Building & Construction Exposition (WORLDBEX) 2006. On January 19, 2006, Judy Reinke, Counselor for Commercial Affairs of the U.S. Commercial Service Manila (CS Manila), and Joseph L. Ang, Founding Chairman of Worldbex Services International (WSI), signed an agreement formalizing CS Manila's participation at WORLDBEX 2006. The trade show will be held March 7-11, 2006 at two venues: World Trade Center Metro Manila and the adjoining fully air-conditioned and carpeted tent.

Since WORLDBEX is the the biggest and the most-attended building and construction show in the Philippines, CS Manila's catalog show at WORLDBEX 2006 will be an excellent opportunity to introduce U.S. building and construction products and services to the Philippine market.

After the signing of the agreement, Ms. Reinke and Mr. Ang discussed future events for possible cooperation, including WSI's building and construction trade show to be held in Cebu (in the Visayas region) in May 2006. This event offers an excellent opportunity to reach out to business people in one of the fast-growing regions in the Philippines.

CS Manila Reaches Out to Philippine Developers and Builders Association

On October 13, 2005, Senior Commercial Officer (SCO)Judy Reinke delivered a speech entitled "Building for the Future - Resources For Tourism Development" at the CREBA-HUDCC National Convention 2005 held at the Multipurpose Hall, Tagaytay Highlands, Tagaytay City. In her speech, SCO Reinke highlighted what attracts tourists to the Philippines and what does not. She underscored the need for quality products and services. She informed the more than 150 convention attendees of the assistance that the U.S. Commercial Service can provide to companies seeking products and services for tourism and other similar projects.

Congressman Eduardo Zialcita, Chairman of the Committee on Housing; CREBA President Jaime Cura and HUDCC Vice Chair Amado Bagatsing also graced the CREBA-HUDCC Convention.

Through her attendance at the CREBA-HUDCC Convention, CS Manila renewed its ties with the CREBA leadership as well as reached out to Philippine builders, developers and other CREBA members. CS Manila was able to gather trade leads from convention attendees as well as generated interest on trade shows featuring building products and construction equipment under the International Buyer Program.

CREBA stands for Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association, an organization of the real estate and housing industry with about 4,500 members nationwide. Developers, real estate brokers, appraisers, contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, engineers, architects and others engaged in the shelter and real estate business comprise CREBA. HUDCC is short for Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council. It is the Philippine government's highest policy-making and coordinating office on housing.

USTDA Grant Supports the Development of the Petrochemical Industry in the Philippines

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) recently awarded a $570,000 grant to Petron Corporation, the largest oil refining company in the Philippines, to partially fund a feasibility study for the development of a benzene-toluene-xylene (BTX) recovery and extraction unit.

The grant was conferred at a signing ceremony held at the Petron corporate headquarters in Makati City. Ms. Judy Reinke, Counselor of Embassy for Commercial Affairs, and Mr. Khalid D. Al-Faddagh, President and CEO, signed the grant agreement on behalf of the U.S. government and Petron, respectively.

This study will include a basic engineering design for the construction of a new BTX recovery unit that will allow Petron to recover benzene and toluene, as well as increase its mixed-xylene production and recovery capabilities. These petrochemicals will be extracted from Petron’s own gasoline component production. This unit will further enhance Petron’s capability to meet more stringent gasoline quality requirements under the Philippine Clean Air Act, while providing the company with the aromatic petrochemicals, BTX, which it can sell to domestic and regional markets. The USTDA grant will supplement the resources that Petron is allocating for the study.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA’s strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.

Environmental Dynamics, Inc. launches new diffuser technology

Environmental Dynamics, Inc. (EDI), an aeration specialist for firms serving the wastewater treatment industry, made a successful promotion of its new diffuser technology to Philippine companies. Consulting engineers and industry players involved in the design/building, and operating wastewater treatment systems; contractors involved in wastewater treatment construction and the members of academe attended the seminar, July 18 at the American Business Center, Makati City. The event was organized by the U.S. Commercial Service.

During the presentation, EDI representatives provided participants with information on advanced aeration equipment, aerobic treatment systems, oxygen transfer efficiency capabilities, life cycle costing for system evaluation, biological nutrient removal, and membrane reactor technology used in the United States.

EDI manufactures advanced technology aeration diffuser products and engineers wastewater biological treatment systems for municipal and industrial applications. Its products include fine and coarse bubble diffusers, and high efficiency membrane tube diffusers. EDI has more than 4,000 systems installed in over 60 countries.

ASIA NOW ICT Team Went Live At Communic Asia/Broadcast Show 2005

Six members of the Asia Now ICT Team waved their flags at the recently concluded COMMUNIC ASIA AND BROADCAST SHOW 2005, Singapore, June 14-17, 2005. With a total of 134 business delegates, the Asian Specialists who led delegations to the show were: Alice Lai (HK), Kalung Riang (Indonesia), Aida L. Miranda (Philippines), Oraphan Boonyalug (Thailand) and Dzung Nguyen (Vietnam). Sweehoon Chia of Singapore (Host Country) organized the activities during the event.

The show is recognized as one of Asia’s largest communications and IT trade event. Covering the entire spectrum of the ICT industry, the show focused on Broadband Communications, Enterprise Solutions, Mobile Technology and Solutions, Network Solutions, Satellite Technology, Security and Smart Card. There were 2,238 exhibiting companies, of which 224 were U.S. companies, and more than 60,000 attendees visiting the show.

The Asian delegation consisted of representatives from the telecommunications, broadcast, information technology, electronics and semiconductor firms seeking partner/distributor opportunities with U.S. firms and exploring the latest in telecommunications, IT and broadcast.

CS Singapore through the efforts of Sweehoon Chia, arranged one-on-one meetings between the US companies and the Asian Specialists. A total of 77 one-on-one appointments were facilitated resulting in several potential subscriptions of Single Company Promotions (SCP) and Gold Key Services (GKS).

A Team meeting capped the whole event with the Asian Specialists putting their heads together to plan for the next event and to formulate the Team’s accomplishments for FY 2005.

Tyco Showcases The Latest Fire Detection Systems

Tyco Fire & Security, a global leader in fire protection systems and products, recently conducted a technical seminar on the future of fire detection systems in cooperation with the U.S. Commercial Service Manila.

The event was attended by over 50 safety and security practitioners in the manufacturing, industrial, engineering and construction sectors. Tyco’s local partners in the fire detection business also lent their support to the event.

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Francis Ricciardone, in one of his last speaking engagements in Manila, noted Tyco's role in providing security equipment to vital US government facilities, while highlighting the US Embassy's support in promoting healthy business relations between US and Philippine companies.

Tyco officials led by Mr. William Ford, General Manager for Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Brunei and Mr. Allan Baigent, General Manager of Tyco Integrated Systems Philippines also presented Tyco's global presence, not only in the area of safety and security, but also in other fields such as electronics, health care and engineered products and services.

Mr. Alan Ang, Business Development Manager for Tyco's Fire Detection Systems division in Asia, talked about the latest fire detection technologies developed by Tyco. Ramon Peralta of Tyco Integrated Systems Philippines facilitated the open forum and introduced Tyco's local business partners.

Noting the better-than-expected turnout of key local contacts with the support of the US Commercial Service-Manila, Tyco looks forward to working with other US Commercial Service posts to organize similar activities in other Asian countries in the near future.

Aliron International Inc./Aliron Philippines Inc. Officially Opens Its Hazardous And Industrial Waste Treatment Facility.

On April 27, 2005, Aliron International Inc./Aliron Philippines Inc. officially opened its hazardous and industrial waste treatment facility in Carmelray Industrial Park II, Calamba, Laguna, Philippines. Attending the ribbon cutting ceremony for this state-of-the-art thermal reduction plant, which uses imported U.S. technology, were Commercial Attache Brent Omdahl and Commercial Specialist Bebe Montesines. Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Lilia de Lima, Natural Resources Development Corporation (NRDC) President Angelico Salud, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Regional Director Luciano Hornilla were among the distinguished guests of the event.

Prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremonies, Mr. Ron Grow, Executive Vice President of Aliron International Inc., made a presentation of Aliron’s state-of-the-art technology to almost 100 representatives of manufacturing companies, and officers and staff of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, PEZA and MMDA. Mr. Grow likewise conducted a facility tour to provide the attendees a better appreciation of the thermal treatment process.

This event signaled Aliron’s readiness to accept, treat, store and dispose of industrial and hazardous waste of Philippine companies. Aliron International Inc., based in Bethesda, Maryland, is led by Ms. Cora Alisuag and Mr. Ron Grow.

University of San Francisco President visits the Philippines

Reverend Stephen A. Privett, S.J., President, University of San Francisco (USF) met with Philippine-based USF alumni and friends recently at a cocktail reception hosted by U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone at the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

Ambassador Ricciardone highlighted USF's strong relations with the Philippines, noting that the USF Alumni Association - Philippines is USF’s biggest and most active international alumni chapter, and that a number of USF’s faculty members come from the Philippines. He also emphasized the value of international exchanges, such as USF’s Philippine Studies Program, noting the contribution that such programs have on securing a prosperous future for participating countries.

Reverend Privett shared recent developments at USF and notable accomplishments by the USF community, and the growing number of prominent USF alumni that included Intel President and COO Paul Otellini. Joining Reverend Privett was Dr. Stanley Nel, USF’s Vice President for International Relations, who introduced the new international alumni website.

Mr. Romeo David, President of the USF Alumni Association - Philippine Chapter, shared the association's past accomplishments, including the conferment of an honorary degree on Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last year.

Guests to the reception included University of San Francisco Alumni, members of the diplomatic corps, as well as distinguished personalities in the business community, government and Philippine media.

Study USA Educational Fair attracts Filipino students

Four U.S. schools participated in the Study USA Education Fair held last February 5, 2005 at the Oakwood Premiere Ayala Center, Makati City, Philippines. Representatives from Hawaii Pacific University (HPU), Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), Universal Technical Institute (UTI) and the University of San Francisco (USF), met with more than hundred students, their parents and interested parties through counseling and presentation sessions.

Study USA 2005 is an annual event aimed at providing information on educational opportunities in the United States. Representatives and admission officers from these four prestigious American learning institutions discussed their academic programs and provided counseling sessions on undergraduate (bachelors degree), graduate (Masters, PhD, etc.) and technical programs.

Representatives from the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF) were also available to students for counseling. PAEF is the premier organization in the Philippines dedicated to advancing international education and exchange between the United States of America and the Philippines.

The recent staging of the Study USA Manila proved once more that the United States is still the preferred destination of Philippine students who wish to study abroad. U.S. Commercial Service Manila organized this educational fair.

C Trade's Renewable Energy and Livelihood Project Launched in RP