Atienza’s joining GMA trip to US ‘cost RP

mining investments’

By Max V. de Leon

THE country missed a golden opportunity to bag billions of dollars in mineral purchasing contracts and mining investments from Chinese businessmen when Environment Secretary Lito Atienza opted to join President Arroyo in her US visit last month instead of attending a forum especially organized for the Philippines in Fujian, China, on June 18.

John Tan, president of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), said several very interested Chinese investors waited for Atienza and some experts from the DENR at the Fuzhou, Fujian, meet to learn of the opportunities in the Philippine mining industry.

Tan said the Chinese government even took the initiative of gathering Chinese companies for the meet as they are aware of the potential of the Philippines to supply their needs for minerals, particularly iron, nickel, copper and manganese. He said the Chinese businessmen are interested in both the actual mining operations and the mere purchase of the yields of the existing mining firms in the country.

“We missed a big opportunity. We are talking of billions of dollars in potential contracts. They [Chinese] are buying in very big amount,” Tan told the BusinessMirror at the sidelines of the launching of the 5th Asean-China Expo Tuesday night at the FFCCCII’s office in Binondo, Manila.

Reached for comment, Atienza, however, denied canceling a commitment at the last minute. He said he never made any confirmation for the supposed meeting with Chinese investors in China, as claimed by the chamber. “They know that I was not available.  I’ve never made any confirmation,” he insisted.

 “How can I back out when I’ve not made any confirmation?… I’m grateful for their invitation.  And I’m willing to talk to mining investors. [That’s why] I’m waiting for them to reschedule and they were happy about it,” Atienza said. Atienza said he will ask the chamber to invite the prospective investors to Manila, where he will brief them about mining prospects in the Philippines. (With Jonathan Mayuga)

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Atienza’s joining GMA trip to US ‘cost RP mining investments’

THE country missed a golden opportunity to bag billions of dollars in mineral purchasing contracts and mining investments from Chinese businessmen when Environment Secretary Lito Atienza opted to join President Arroyo in her US visit last month instead of attending a forum especially organized for the Philippines in Fujian, China, on June 18.

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