NZ wants closer ties with Cebu

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=904032
• Saturday, July 16, 2016

By Jeandie O. Galolo

WITH 50 years of bilateral relations with the Philippines, the New Zealand government has expressed interest to foster closer ties with Cebu.

Early this week, New Zealand Ambassador David Strachan met with Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena, a gesture he said that signals the foreign government’s interest in Cebu. On Thursday, the New Zealand Embassy Manila hosted a reception dinner with select members of the Cebu community at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

“We are mindful of the dynamic growth of the BPO sector in Cebu. The New Zealand services sector is excited about the growth of the Cebu market for New Zealand’s education and tourism sectors,” Strachan said.

In particular, Strachan said he wants more people from Cebu and in the Visayas to avail of the yearly scholarship provided by the Kiwi government to 24 Filipinos who would take courses focused on renewable energy, disaster risk management and agri-business.

Cebuanos, according to Education New Zealand Regional Communications Manager Ben Burrowes, are one of the largest group of students studying presently in New Zealand. According to Strachan, more than 3,600 Filipinos studied in New Zealand in 2015, 83 percent more than in 2014, making it the fastest growing international student market.

Presently, one percent of the 4.5 million population in New Zealand are Filipinos, mostly working for the healthcare and information technology fields. In the Philippines, about 20,000 Kiwis arrived as tourists in 2015.

The ambassador also cited the Kiwi government’s interest to strengthen trade opportunities between New Zealand and Cebu in terms of dairy, technology, and fruits and vegetable products.

For three years, the New Zealand government has collaborated with the Philippines in improving its dairy output.

“The Philippine-New Zealand dairy project involves more than 20 focused farms in your country and we are bringing live cattle and providing technical expertise of strengthening your dairy production,” said Strachan.

New Zealand Trade Commissioner Hernando Banal said he also looks forward to see more premium New Zealand food and beverage products in Cebu’s supermarket shelves.