JEDDAH, 4 July — The Philippine Consulate General in the Western Region has created an Economic Diplomacy Unit (EDU) to carry out aggressive trade and investment promotion efforts, Consul General Kadatuan P. Usop said yesterday.

The unit will assume the functions of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center, Usop said in a press statement.

He said the EDU will handle all matters related to the promotion of Philippine trade, investment and tourism in the Western region of Saudi Arabia.

“All inquiries on trade, investment and tourism shall now be addressed to EDU, which shall also provide other relevant information to interested groups and individuals,” the statement said.

Heading the new office is Mrs. Rose Marie M. Justiniano, who recently joined the consulate from the Regional Consular Office in Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao.

The statement also announced a one-day investment seminar in early August “for a select group of Filipino workers.”

Seminar topics include an overview of Philippine economy/business and economic environment in the Philippines, managing a business enterprise, investment policy/regulations and procedures in forming business in the Philippines.

The importance of project feasibility study, the OWWA entrepreneurship program, and financing and role of banks/managing a catering and restaurant business will also be discussed.

The statement further said the seminar could help participants “appreciate the need to participate and/or contribute to national development, and to develop skills/technical know-how to be able to explore investment prospects, prepare and implement investment or business plans.”