US official here to boost trade

Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker AFP File Photo

MANILA, Philippines–US Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker is in Manila to meet with government and business leaders as well as develop new long-term trade partnerships and commitments to boost the Philippine economy.

Pritzker arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 11 p.m. Monday. She is set to deliver remarks on the US economic engagement in the Asia-Pacific and with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) bloc in a conference with business leaders in Makati City on Wednesday.

“Secretary Pritzker’s visit reaffirms the US’ commitment to the Philippines and the entire Asean region, specifically with respect to our economic and commercial ties. She is traveling in conjunction with the US-Asean Business Council and a group of American business leaders as a way to help deepen the partnerships between our governments and businesses,” the US embassy said in a statement.

Pritzer’s itinerary includes meetings with President Aquino, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and other key Philippine government and business officials.

The Makati conference is jointly hosted by the US Embassy and the US Foreign Commercial Services, in cooperation with the American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, the Management Association of the Philippines and the Makati Business Club.

Some of the American companies taking part in the event are ACE Ltd., AES Corp., Marsh & McLennan, Unilever, Chevron, General Atlantic and Rio Tinto.

An entrepreneur, civic leader and philanthropist from Chicago, Pritzer, 55, has been serving in President Barack Obama’s administration as a member of his Economic Recovery Advisory Board which formulates and evaluates economic policy.

Appointed commerce secretary in June last year, Pritzer also chairs the newly launched Skills for America’s Future, a public/private partnership among the private sector, the federal government and community colleges, which prepares workers for 21st century jobs.