MANILA - The Philippines will be hosting next week an investment forum and business matching to be attended by 50-man delegation of top business executives from China, a local business group said Monday.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President Miguel Varela said that the China-Philippine Trade and Investment Forum and Networking to be held on April 16 would be a big opportunity for Filipino businessmen to exchange views with their Chinese counterparts on energy and power, import and export, services, mining, transportation, real estate, construction, agriculture and leather goods manufacturing.

"China's fast-growing economy, large population and emerging status as economic superpower requires its strategic business sectors to secure stable business relationships that will supply raw materials, products and services in shortage in or not available within China," he said.

The event is jointly organized by the PCCI and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, or?CCPIT, China's largest trade organization.

"It has been two years since the last forum and networking sessions in Guangzhou. That the CCPIT is resuming talks and staging the event here signifies the commitment of China to grow business relationships with the Philippines," Varela said.

The CCPIT is a national organization of foreign economic relations and trade composed of representative personages, enterprises and organizations from China's economic and trade circles.