Ambassador Domingo P. Nolasco (second from left) with the ASEAN Committee in Rome (ACR) Delegation with Marche Polytechnic University Rector Professor Sauro Longhi (center).

23 May 2017 ROME — The Philippine Embassy in Rome participated in the ASEAN Committee in Rome’s (ACR) working mission to the Marche Region organized by the current ACR Chair, Vietnamese Ambassador Cao Chinh Thien on May 19. Ambassadors from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam joined the mission.

The delegation met with Marche Region President Mr. Luca Ceriscioli, Ancona Chamber of Commerce President Giorgio Cataldi, and Marche Polytechnic University Rector Professor SauroLonghi.

Ambassador Domingo P. Nolasco, together with the ACR Ambassadors, conveyed to Marche Region officials ACR’s readiness to collaborate with local authorities and institutions to enhance political, economic and socio-cultural cooperation.

He underscored the opportunities in ASEAN with its huge market and its interest in Italian products. He shared that for the Philippines alone total trade increased by 40% from 2011 to 2016 while tourist arrivals from Italy increased by 20% from 2015 to 2016. He further shared that many Filipino pilgrims visit the Marche Region particularly Loreto.

The ACR undertakes working missions to different regions in Italy to increase awareness and visibility of ASEAN in Italy, to promote economic opportunities between ASEAN and Italian institutions and to create networks with local authorities.

For more information, visit www.dfa.gov.ph, www.facebook.com/dfaphl, and @dfaphl on Twitter. END