Napier University leads trade mission to Philippines

A professor at an Edinburgh university has taken the lead in a recent UK trade mission to the Philippines.

Professor Martin Tangney of Napier University met with key figures from Philippine industry and the government earlier this month. The trade mission, backed by United Kingdom Trade and Investment (UKTI), focussed on the environment and gave Professor Tangney a chance to discuss topical climate concerns with the president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Edgardo Lacson, and the secretary for the environment and natural resources, Jose Atienza Jr.

Speaking on his return from Philippine capital, Manila, Professor Tangney said: “It was a great honour to be given the task of leading the UKTI trade mission and meeting such influential figures in the industry in Manila and to have been given the privilege to have private meetings with the President of the PCCI, and the secretary for the environment and natural resources, who gave a different perspective to the mission delegates.

“Not only were we able to showcase our technologies and expertise but we were able to learn what Philippine companies and Government found to be worthwhile for their business,” he added.

Whilst visiting Manila, the team attended a seminar on "Innovative Environmental Solutions from the UK," allowing interested local participants to quiz the UK mission on how they feel environmental technology can best help their businesses and organisations.

Professor Tangney also gave a lecture on the conversion of waste into biofuel, a subject Professor Tangney has specialised in during his time at Napier University.

As director of the university’s Biofuel Research Centre, Professor Tangney is widely considered to have successfully developed the Centre into an important international resource, providing information on the field and undertaking research and development into the latest scientific developments.