Officials of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and delegates from Turkmenistan on Tuesday met to discuss trade and investment collaborations in agriculture and energy.

Attending the first Philippines-Turkmenistan Consultations were PCCI Vice President for International Affairs Jude Aguilar and PCCI Honorary Chairman, Treasurer and Senior Adviser for International Affairs Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. The Turkmenistan delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Gurbanov.

The PCCI said both parties expressed strong interest in enhancing economic relations through future partnerships between the two countries' chambers of commerce, trade delegations, and participation in exhibitions and conferences.

Turkmen delegates visited the Clark Freeport Free Economic Zone, which the PCCI pitched as an investment opportunity. The delegates were said to have appreciated the creation and management of economic zones in the Philippines.

Also present during the meeting were Atadurdy Bayramov, nonresident ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Philippines; Gurban Saparov, head of the Asia-Pacific Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan; First Secretary of the Embassy of Turkmenistan Gurbanmuhamed Amanliyev; Honorary Consul of Belarus in Manila Anna Ablan; and Department of Foreign Affairs Director for Division 1-Middle East Grace Perpetua.

PCCI said the event marked a significant step toward deepening bilateral economic ties between the Philippines and Turkmenistan.