Ambassador Belen F. Anota successfully concluded a two-day official visit to Tasmania that culminated with courtesy calls on the Premier of Tasmania, the Hon Lara Giddings MP, Justice, the Hon Shan Tennant (representing the Chief Justice) and Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of Hobart, Alderman Damon Thomas, in Hobart on 21 August 2013. The Hon Michael Polley MP, Speaker of the House of Assembly, hosted the Ambassador and her delegation for luncheon at the Parliamentary Dining Room on 20 August 2013. Discussions focused on opportunities for cooperation between the Philippines and Tasmania that would capitalize on their respective strengths in the areas of agriculture and food processing, maritime industries, information and communications technology (ICT) and renewable energy.

The Ambassador was accompanied by Ms. Nina P. Cainglet, First Secretary and Consul, Ms. Consuelo G. Jones, Tourism Attaché, and Mr. Emmanuel Niño W. Ang, Special Trade Representative.

The Ambassador and her delegation also met with Mr Alan Campbell, General Manager Sectors, Trade and Migration, Department of Economic Development for a briefing on economic and industry matters.

In order to pursue closer trade and economic relations with Tasmania, the delegation visited Tassal, one of the industry leaders in producing salmon in Australia and toured the Tassal Value Added Plant in Huonville. Other meetings included a visit to University of Tasmania, Entura Consulting, Life Raft Systems and International Catamaran (INCAT).

Ambassador Anota also met with the Filipino Community organizations in Tasmania during a FilCom event organized by the Philippine Australia Community of Tasmania, Inc. (PACT), Filipino Communities Council of Tasmania, Inc. (FCCTAS), Filipino Support Work Inc. (FWSG), AUSINFORMER and Philippine Australian Society in the Huon (PASH). Glenorchy Mayor Alderman Stuart Slade also attended the event. There is an estimated 5,000 Filipinos in Tasmania.