MAYOR CARLISLE TO JOIN PHILIPPINE TRADE MISSION

(Fri., Feb. 10, 2012)—Mayor Peter Carlisle will participate with the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii in the 22nd Annual Trade Mission to the Philippines from Sunday to Wednesday to promote Honolulu and encourage investment, tourism and cultural exchanges.

“Honolulu’s historic, cultural and family ties with the Philippines are deep and strong. The annual trade mission is a very successful program that the City is proud to support,” Carlisle said.

The event is sponsored by the Filipino Chamber and will include workshops co-sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development to help entrepreneurs from both countries learn about business and investment opportunities.

Carlisle will meet with officials and business leaders in Honolulu’s five Philippine sister cities: Baguio, Cebu, Laoag, Manila and Vigan. He will also attend similar meetings in Badoc and Pasuquin, meet in Manila with U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas, and tour Manila’s rail transit system.

The mayor will return to Honolulu on Thursday, February 16.

The announcement comes a day after the Honolulu Ethics Commission told Carlisle he should reimburse the city $3,300 for the cost of his wife accompanying him to China last June.