After various members of the Iloilo City business community were invited earlier this year to the China Maritime Silk Road International Brand Expo, set to take place in Quanzhou City, China from April 18 to 21, the Iloilo City government revealed they would also be participating in the event.

“We are introducing the products of Iloilo to the world,” explained Local Economic and Investment Promotions Office (LEIPO) head Ritchel Gavan. “We are opening to the world through this expo.”

Among the items the city plans to present include local foods and hablon products, a craft that can be dated back to the 1800s.

Last February, after the invitation was received, Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III said, “The expo is a platform by businessmen in Iloilo City to have their products sold in China.”

“This partnership is only the start of everything and we do hope that this will last for a long time,” he added./WDJ