AMBASSADOR GAA MEETS WITH OHIO BUSINESSMEN; EXPRESSES APPRECIATION FOR INVESTING IN PHILIPPINES AND PROMOTES BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE PHILIPPINES

During an official visit to the State of Ohio, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa met with various leaders and members of the business community in the State of Ohio to express his appreciation to businesses that have made sizeable investments in the Philippines and to encourage these and other businesses to consider further investments or to do business with the Philippines.

Ambassador Gaa met with Mr. Earl Shanks, Chief Financial Officer of Convergys, which at present provides employment to 12,000 Filipinos in the Philippines. Ambassador Gaa also met with Mr. Alex Hara, Vice President for Commercial Banking of JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.; Mr. David Swenson, Vice President for Business Initiatives of Edison Materials Technology Center (EMTEC); Mr. Rodney Kirkham, General Manager for Human Resources and General Affairs of DMAX Limited (a joint venture between General Motors and Isuzu); and a representative from Procter and Gamble.

At the induction ball of the Philippine American Society for Greater Dayton, Inc., in which the Ambassador was the guest of honor, the Ambassador also had the opportunity to meet and discuss with Ms. Joan Swenson of the Kettering Hospital Network the possibility of the hiring of Filipino professionals by Kettering.

Commenting on his various meetings with the business community of Ohio, Ambassador Gaa said, “This visit to Ohio was a good opportunity for me to promote the Philippines as a viable business and investment destination and to thank those businesses which have already made sizeable investments in our country such as Convergys and to encourage them to further enhance their investment in the Philippines. I also received feedback about how happy these companies are with the work and skill levels of their employees in the Philippines and how our grasp of the English language gives a distinct competitive advantage.” END.

 

PHOTOS: (Upper left) Ambassador Gaa, accompanied by Chicago-based Philippine Trade Representative Glenn Peñaranda (rightmost in photo), expressing the Philippine Government’s appreciation to Mr. Earl Shanks, Chief Financial Officer of Convergys, for providing gainful employment to 12,000 Filipinos. (Upper right) Ambassador Gaa meeting with Mr. Alex Hara, Vice President for Commercial Banking of JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (Bottom) Ambassador Gaa discussing with Ms Joan Swenson of the Kettering Hospital Network the possible hiring of Filipino professionals by Kettering.