Page 43 - 2017 JAN-JUN - KAAKBAY

January to June
2017 43

American Jewish Committee New York (AJC),
Philippine Consul General Discuss
Joint Projects and Initiatives

American Jewish Committee (AJC) Global Jewish
Advocacy members led by Regional Director Michael Schmidt,
and including of Ms. Shira Loewenberg, Head, AJC Asia Pacific
Institute, Ms. Marlene Altman, and Ms. Francine Port held a
meeting with Consul General Ma. Theresa Dizon-de Vega at the
Philippine Center to discuss possible joint projects that can
invigorate people-to-people exchanges and promote closer ties
between the Filipino-American and Jewish communities in New AJC Global Jewish Advocacy officials meet with New York Consul General
York. Ma. Theresa Dizon-de Vega to discuss joint projects.

Consul General De Vega shared the Consulates key objectives such as working on political- security matters,
building bridges with the US, connecting with members of the US Congress on legislative issues concerning the Philippines,
promoting trade and investment including a greated foothold in the kosher food market in the US.

Ms. Loewenberg conveyed AJC’s interest to assist the Philippines and the Consulate in promoting Philippine
political and economic interests and identifying possible synergies between Jewish and Filipino-American communities.

The meeting also highlighted key issues pertaining to Philippine-Israel bilateral relations and the sharing of best
practices. The AJC members relayed their reports on the rise of anti-semitism worldwide while Consul General de Vega
addressed security concerns raised by AJC, including confronting violent extremism in the country and the ongoing peace
negotiations with the Communist and Muslim insurgencies.

She also mentioned the socio-economic programs of President Rodrigo Duterte and the excellent bilateral relations
between the Philippines and Israel.

(Continued from page 42… Meeting with EDC President)

With the aim of further invigorating business relations with New York as well
as to find ways to support Filipino and Filipino-American small businesses and start-
ups, Consul General Theresa Dizon-de Vega met with New York EDC President and
CEO Maria Torres-Springer at the EDC Headquarters in New York City.

Consul General de Vega called on Ms. Torres-Springer as part of efforts to
establish stronger linkages with New York Government offices and to convey the
different initiatives of the Consulate for the Filipino-American Community.

EDC President Torres-Springer is among the high-profile Filipino-American
appointees of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. She is the first female head of the
EDC and has degrees from Yale and Harvard Universities.

Consul General de Vega noted the increased interest in entrepreneurship
among Filipinos and Filipino-Americans, particularly in the culinary and food industry
in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She likewise mentioned the need to
Ms. Torres-Springer and Consul General de encourage more Filipinos to look at the technology and knowledge-based industry
Vega pose before a map of New York such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) as possible entry points for
building businesses in New York.

Consul General de Vega said however, that the Consulate would like to actively partner with New York agencies like
the EDC in ensuring that Filipino-American entrepreneurs are equipped with updated information on doing business in New
York as well as to utilize available resources to launch or grow their businesses.

Ms. Torres-Springer relayed that the EDC has the mandate to assist and guide entrepreneurs and businesses,
including small businesses and economically empowering underserved sectors to encourage greater economic activity. She
said that their services and support cuts across industries and involves assisting in permits, training, negotiating the
business system, and securing financing.

The Consulate General continues to undertake collaboration and engagement with the New York City Government
to identify local resources for micro, small and medium enterprises, including Filipino-American businesses as well as to
encourage greater activity through inbound and outbound Philippine trade and investment missions.