A delegation from the Philippine construction and engineering sector recently visited Sydney, Australia, to showcase the country’s talents and services. The Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) and the Philippine Overseas Construction Board (POCB) led this mission, which took place from April 28 to May 4, 2024, coinciding with the Sydney Build 2024 Expo at the International Convention Center.
This visit marked the Philippines’ debut at the prestigious Sydney Build exhibition. The Filipino delegation included major companies such as Kinetic Phils. Electrical Construction, Inc.; R.D. Interior Junior Construction; PLD Construction and Development, Inc.; and Borja Construction Coordinates & Allied Services, Inc. They engaged in numerous business meetings and forums to build connections with their Australian counterparts.
One of the key events was a session highlighting the “Philippine Advantage on Architecture and Engineering Services Outsourcing (AESO).” Here, the POCB and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) emphasized the strengths of Filipino architecture and engineering services. Doris Gacho, Executive Director of POCB, highlighted how the Philippines is leading in IT-enabled services and expanding into high-value sectors like architecture and engineering, offering competitive advantages to international markets like Australia.
Philippine Consul General Charmaine Aviquivil, who attended the event, celebrated the new Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Australia. This partnership, she noted, marks a deeper relationship between the two countries, opening doors for more collaborations.
Engr. Sergie Retome of PCAB discussed recent reforms in the Philippines that allow foreign contractors to take part in privately funded projects under a Regular Contractor’s License. These changes create more opportunities for Filipino professionals and businesses to engage with international markets.
Chairperson Charito Zamora of the PRC expressed enthusiasm for pursuing a Mutual Recognition Agreement with Australia. This agreement would ease the movement of professionals between the two nations, creating more opportunities for Filipino engineers and architects in Australia.
This mission received support from the Office of the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney, the Office of Philippine Trade and Investment Center–Sydney (PTIC-Sydney), and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) in Manila and Brisbane.
For Filipino Australians and those residing in Australia, this initiative represents an exciting development. It not only showcases the skills and talents of Filipino professionals but also strengthens the ties between the Philippines and Australia, creating new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
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