Ambassador of Philippines to India Hon. FRANCISCO BENEDICTO is pictured here with Mayor Hon. TOMMY OSMENA at Barangay Apas where the street has been named. It was attended by lots of dignitaries and Indians of Cebu. The Indian community in the Philippines recently celebrated the activities under NAMASTE PHILIPPINES MABUHAY INDIA, a full year activity to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines.

The Philippines is looking forward to rake in more investments and increase tourist arrivals from India in the coming year adding to the increasing number it has posted in the previous years. Benedicto said that they have seen the growing number of tourist arrivals in the country of over 20 to 30 percent for this year alone. A bulk of this number has acquired tourist visas said Benedicto, aside from the large number of student visa holders from the foreign country.

Benedicto said that they are very optimistic with the continuous strong ties the two countries would have especially with the economic ties considering the huge market of India composing of over 1.15 B in population. Among the investments focus is on Business Process Outsourcing companies, garments, and has also extended their interest in venturing in to the mining industry. Indo-Phil, a big Indian company in the country dealing with textile, announced that they will make expansions worth P100M. Aegis PeopleSupport, is also looking forward for future expansions in the country, specifically in Cebu. CEO Rajiv Ahuja, for international operations for Aegis said that they are very happy with the outcome of their operations in the Philippines. In line with this, the 11-story building is already underway at the IT park, which is targeted to be completed by December 2010. Additionally another phase of the building will be started right after to be finished by March of 2011. This will add more employees, said Ahuja to more than 5,000 to 6,000.

PS president Bong Borja said that they are very bullish about Cebu and they see the strong market especially with the huge potential of employees considering how the people are used to speaking in English.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who graced the event said that the new street named after India placed right beside the new facility to be put up by Aegis is very ideal. “This will move us in the forefront as far as the development of IT in Philippines is deserved. This is very well deserved,” said Osmeña.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared November 2009 as “Philippines-India Friendship Month” and last November 16, a commemorative stamp was launched in New Delhi in line with the celebration as well as the same unveiling of the stamp in Manila last December 4.

Ambassador Francisco Benedicto was the one who truly worked out this momentous name of a street in India.

Congratulations.