Philippine Ambassador Virginia Benavidez, who is 10 months into a four-year Wellington posting, has visited nine other New Zealand cities, to promote opportunities between Philippines and New Zealand small to medium enterprises (SMEs).
Of most interest is dairying technology, software development and geothermal science, as the Philippines looks to secure its economic growth, running at more than 6%, with a move towards enlarging its manufacturing base.
"We want to develop niche SMEs in similar areas; to have ours linking up with New Zealand software and ICT (information, communications and technology) applications," Mrs Benavidez said.
Mrs Benavidez will meet several software companies, other local businesses, visit the University of Otago and some of Dunedin's tourist attractions.
While keen to access New Zealand dairying technology and geothermal sciences, she noted the IT market in the Philippines is worth about $US11 billion ($NZ13.6 billion).
The Government there had far-ranging incentives in no tax, low-tax and tariff-free zones for would-be manufacturers setting up, including domestic market access for exporters based there.
Mrs Benavidez, who gained a bachelor of science degree in foreign service and an MA in Asian studies from the University of the Philippines, has been in the diplomatic services for more than 30 years.
