THE Royal Norwegian Embassy in the Philippines has opened a consular office in Davao in recognition of the Mindanao region’s importance in various cooperation sectors such as maritime, renewable energy, seafood and circular economy.
The ceremonial opening of the Norwegian Consulate in Davao was led by Ambassador Christian Halaas Lyster.
The consular office will be headed by the newly appointed honorary consul, Rosanna Tuason-Fores.
Rosanna Tuason-Fores (left) is conferred as the honorary consul to the newly opened Norwegian Consulate in Davao by Ambassador Christian Lyster (right) and Consul Frank Arne Johansen. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Tuason-Fores is the president and chief executive officer of the Hijo Resources Corp., which has business interests in port operations, agribusiness, property development, leisure and tourism, and power and light. She is also president of the Tuason Development Foundation and former president of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines.
“We are excited to open the new consulate in Davao. We have been in Mindanao region for our initiatives for peace, and we hope to further strengthen our work in the region in other areas as well such as food security through Norwegian businesses,” Lyster said.
Maritime education is among the important point of existing cooperations in Mindanao. The Norwegian Shipowners Association manages a maritime education program with the Davao Merchant Marine Academy College of Southern Philippines in Davao City, where 330 cadets are training.
Food security and agriculture are important points of cooperation in Mindanao, where Norwegian company Yara has touched base with Davao’s agricultural industry for cacao and durian. The cooperation aims to improve the farm produce yields and the livelihood of the local farmers in Mindanao.
Norway had significant work for peacekeeping in BARMM, where Norway currently serves as vice chair of the Independent Decommissioning Body for the transition of the Bangsamoro government.
The Norwegian Consulate in Davao will cover consular and related affairs in Mindanao.
Be the first to comment