Davao City to hold product expositions with sister cities

DAVAO CITY -- The city government aims to boost the marketing of local products and strengthen partnership with sister cities by holding shows and expositions this year.

Lemuel Ortonio, Davao City Investment and Promotion Center (DCIPC) chief, on Monday said the joint expositions are currently under negotiations with sister cities.

"We would want to have a meaningful exchange between our sister cities and not just on paper," Ortonio said, adding that Davao City has eight local and eight international sister cities.

Ortonio said sister cities want to go beyond the symbolic partnership by initiating activities that spur economic activities between and among them.

Under the proposed concept, he said each city will showcase tourism products, trade, and culture and share them with their respective citizens “so they'll have an idea what is unique, best, and popular in these places”.

According to Ortonio, the sister cities plan to organize a three-day exhibit to showcase their products, culture, tourism, and economic components.

These activities will be similar to the one held last year, wherein Nanning City in China exhibited their products and tourism destinations here.

“That was a good experience for them by learning more about those places,” Ortonio added.

Davao is the sister city of Quezon City, Dapitan City, San Juan City, Angeles City, San Jose Del Monte City, municipality of Basud, Marikina City, and the municipality of Liloan.

The city’s international sister cities are Manado and Bitung in Indonesia; Tacoma City in Seattle, United States; Koror, Palau; Nanning City and Jinjiang in the People’s Republic of China; Kitakyushu City, Japan; and the county of Kaua'i, Hawaii. (PNA)