ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / June 22, 2014) – The Philippine Embassy and Filipino business community in Malaysia have launched the “Filipino Businessmen and Professional Caucus” which aims to share knowledge and information and raise awareness of Filipino talent and skills in Malaysia.
The Philippine Embassy initiated the formation of the grouping of Malaysia-based Filipino professionals and businessmen with Edna Encarnacion, head of the Azdaman Engineering Group, as its interim chairperson.
“The caucus will work towards enhancing business practices, sharing knowledge and information, raising awareness of Filipino talent and skills, and promoting pride in being a Filipino.The Filipino business executives as well as workers in Malaysia are respected because of their dedication, hard work, and resourcefulness,” Encarnacion said in a statement sent by the Philippine Embassy to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
She said the Filipino Businessmen and Professional Caucus will also work with the larger Malaysian-Philippine Business Council, which is headed by Dalton’ Dr. Azmil Khalili bin Dato’ Khalid of Alloy MTD, in fostering closer engagement between the Philippine and Malaysian business sectors.
The group was launched on June 18 at the Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral Hotel. It was attended Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay, who visited Malaysia for the inauguration of the World Scout Kuala Lumpur Bureau office.
Binay praised the Filipino business community’s efforts in not just waving the Philippine flag high in Malaysia, but also in contributing to the vibrancy of the Malaysian economy and in deepening Philippine-Malaysia economic relations.
“When my schedule was being drawn up, Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya suggested that I meet with you, and now I know why. You have not just contributed to the Malaysian economy and further strengthened Philippines-Malaysia economic partnership, but also made us more proud to be Filipino,” he said.
“I commend the organization of the Filipino Businessmen and Professionals Caucus, and wish it success in facilitating the growth of its members’ businesses and the betterment of Filipino professionals in Malaysia, as well as bringing the Philippine and Malaysian sectors closer,” he added.
Aside from Malaya, also present at the launching of the Filipino Businessmen and Professionals Caucus were Consul General Medardo Macaraig, PLDT Malaysia Chief Executive Officer John Palanca, Aloft Hotel General Manager Paolo Campillo, Stanford Properties Director Johnny Lim and Deputy Vice President Terence Lim, Forex Cargo Malaysia Director Tess Dizon, Merienda de Eva restaurant owner Eva Gill, Axxezz head designer Gina Frias-Himpe, ABBV+A Architects Principal Architect Bart Vista, Berjaya University-College of Hospitality Corporate Communications Manager Pilar Palma, UNIQ Hospitality Event Producer and theater actress Maria Jaszmine and LBC Mabuhay representative Emily Venturina.
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