TACLOBAN CITY – In an effort to promote and showcase abroad the indigenous products, foods, arts and crafts of Region 8, Rep. Remedios “Matin” Petilla (1 st District, Leyte) is currently on official travel to the United States for an investment and tourism mission in three US states.

The series of trade, investment and tourism fora dubbed as International Trade, Investment and Tourism Mission – Swing 3 fiesta Filipina 2004 were held in three venues in the United States, namely the Fiesta Filipina 2004 (October 21-24, 2004) in Fremont Street Experience, Las Vegas Nevada; the Trade Investment and Tourism Forum (October 28-30, 2004), in Bay Area, San Francisco California, USA and the Trade, Investment and Tourism Forum (November 2-3, 2004) in Palo, Alto, California.

Petilla, who headed the Philippine delegation, was accompanied by her sister, Rep. Carmen L. Cari (5 th District, Leyte), officials of the Department of Trade and Industry and a number of Leyte manufacturers and businessmen.

It was learned that the same group has already participated in international fairs, like the Canadian National Exhibition ( Canada, 19980, Consumer Goods Asia ( Singapore 1999) and Houston International Festival ( USA, 2000) with the lady solon heading the delegation.

The project aimed at providing opportunities for manufacturers from the region to market their export quality products abroad.