A US government-led trade and investment mission is scheduled to arrive in Manila next week and the Trade department is hopeful that the visit will lead to American firms expanding or setting up shop in the Philippines.

The Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to the Philippines, which will be in the country from March 11 to 12, will include 22 companies involved in the fields of transportation, information technology, engineering and energy, among others, the department said.

Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the delegation, to be led by US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, will explore opportunities in the Philippines.

"The idea is to do networking with our local businessmen and business people and get them to matchmaking meetings," he said in a briefing on Friday. The companies involved comprise those already present in the country, those that have yet to invest in the Philippines, and those that are looking to expand in other markets.

The technology and energy sector will be represented by Google, Microsoft, EchoStarm GreenFire Energy, Ultra Safe Nuclear and Sol-Go, among others.

As for construction, engineering and consultation industries, Bechtel, Black & Veatch, InnovationForce, and Boston Consulting will be present.

Visa, Capital One, Mastercard, and KKR will represent the finance sector while UPS, FedEx, and United Airlines will appear for airlines and transportation.

Several government organizations and advocacy groups such as the President's Export Council, US-Asean Business Council, and the Apl.de.Ap Foundation will also be represented.

"With this kind of delegation, the way I see it, there are some trade possibilities," Pascual said.

He said the government expects deals to be signed, "but we don't have specifics because that will be done company to company, private sector arrangements."

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the conduct of the trade mission was evidence of the strong partnership between the Philippines and the United States.

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