PHL execs in Greece urge ship owners to invest in PHL

Filipino government officials in Greece urged shipowners to invest and take advantage of the booming shipbuilding industry in the Philippines.  

Philippine Ambassador to Greece Meynardo Montealegre urged the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS), the oldest and largest organization of shipowners there, to consider putting up operations in the Philippines. Montealegre noted that shipbuilding and ship repair cost in the Philippines, as well as the efficiency and experience of workers, is comparable to its neighboring countries.  

The Philippines ranks fourth among the largest shipbuilding nations in the world after South Korea, China, and Japan. The Philippines is also one of the world's major suppliers of mariners, Montealegre said.  

In a meeting with UGS resident Theodoros Veniamis, Montealegre said the Philippines and Greece both have a strong maritime tradition.  

In turn, Veniamis invited the Philippines to promote its shipbuilding and ship repair industry in the upcoming "Posidonia 2012,” one of the largest maritime exhibitions held every two years in Greece.  

At the end of their meeting, Montealegre and Veniamis agreed to strengthen further the cooperation between the Philippines and Greece on the shipping industry. - VVP, GMA News