First Asia Pacific Business Partnership Conference

The First Asia Pacific Business Partnership Conference was held last November 12 to 14, 2009 at the Fiesta Resort Guam, Tumon, Guam with the theme “Linking the Possibilities…”

The Conference was participated in by the Philippines International Sisterhood and Twinning Association (PHISTA), Association of Pacific Island Local Governments (APILG) members, as well as potential partners, who wish to promote international exchange and cooperation in the areas of trade and investment. Members of partner organizations such as, the Korea Local Authorities Foundation for International Relations (KLAFIR) and the Japan Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) also present in the said conference.

Shown on the picture above, Mayor Abel is with Mayor Paul M. McDonald (APILG President and Agana Heights, Guam Mayor), Mayor Carol Takayama (President of Mayors Council of Guam) and Mr. Shin, Jeong-Owan (KLAFIR President and Guest Speaker of the Conference).

The conference objective is to promote and sustain friendship, goodwill and understanding among participating local authorities, including non-governmental and business organizations, with interest to have sister city or twinning projects, towards exploring possible partnerships in the area of trade and investment. It is also to provide a venue for showcasing existing initiatives, projects, achievements and experiences on international exchange and cooperation, particularly in the area of trade and investment.

During the 3 day conference, there were opening of trade fair and exhibits, welcome reception with cultural presentations as well as sessions on exploring opportunities for business partnerships. The Dimalangat Art Group from the Province of Aurora represented by Noli Guererro participated in the said exhibit. Topics include during the conference were The Guam Military Build-Up as the Main Engine for Economic Growth, Presented by Honorable Eddie B. Calvo; Senator, 30th Guam Legislature, Minority Leader, The Construction Industry as a Major Contributor to Guam’s Economic Expansion, discussed by Mr. John Roberson; Board Member, Guam Contractor’s Association Chairman, Guam Contractor’s Trades Academy, President- Am Orient Contracting, Best Practices Showcase on Trade and Investments (Experiences Sharing by Local Government of Guam and the Philippines), by Honorable Tina Muna-Barnes; Senator, 30th Guam Legislature (Committee on Municipal Affairs, Aviation, Housing & Recreation),Atty. Adolfo Nabor; California Licensed Immigration Attorney and Mary Carmen R. Madrid-Crost; Attorney-At-Law, discussed about the US Immigration And Citizenship and Mr. Jackie Perez; Realtor, REMAX lead the Matching Business Partners Session.

During her address, Mayor Abel recognizes the fact that through PHISTA and APILG, Guam and Philippines made a pact to merge both strengths and resources with the end in view of improving the lives of our people. And though there are strengths and weaknesses, she also said that the real potentials and opportunities beyond border unless we take advantage of this rare opportunity to discover each other and know more about each other better.

The First Asia Pacific Business Partnership Conference was organized by the Philippines International Sisterhood and Twinning Association (PHISTA) headed by Mayor Annabelle C. Tangson (PHISTA President and APILG Secretary) in partnership with the Association of Pacific Island Local Government (APILG) led by Mayor Paul M. McDonald- APILG President.

Mayor Abel together with the APILG and KLAFIR officials

Participants of the First Asia Pacific Business Partnership Conference

Signing of Sisterhood Agreement between the Municipality of Sta. Maria, Laguna
and Agana Heights, Guam

Atty. Adolfo Nabor during his lecture on US Immigration and Citizenship

Mayor Tangson together with the President of Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines and Guam Senator Tina Muna-Barnes .