Business month highlights Cebu’s major fiscal drivers

With the aim of intensifying the promotion of Cebu as an investment center of the Philippines, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry once again embarks on another challenge of bringing together decision makers, stakeholders and key players from the country and even the world’s business community in their annual Cebu Business Month slated this June.

Yearly, the Cebu Business Month celebration gathers some 8,000 delegates composed of entrepreneurs, local and international guests and participants with over 300 exhibitors from different industry sectors. It provides venue for interaction with buyers, suppliers and complement industries.

And with this year’s theme: “Converge in Cebu,” the Chamber is calling for an intercultural exchange of resources, concepts, ideas and dynamism that can make way for more influx of investments into the province and propel the development of its local economy.

“Through the CBM we were able to increase business activities in the province, enhanced our business linkages and promoted the Cebu brand. Now we will continue with our consortium building efforts in promoting Cebu and targeting big organizations from Manila and even create stronger linkages from abroad,” said CCCI president Francis Monera in his opening speech during the launching of CBM at the City Sports Club.

As drivers of Cebu’s business growth, CBM will give specific focus on three major industry sectors this year: information and communication technology (ICT), small and medium enterprises (SME), and Tourism.

With these in line, CBM 2008 is being projected as another prime business event to look forward to that will once again launch Cebu in the global marketplace.

“We will make CBM the leading business festival in Cebu so this year we aim to bring CBM to the higher level and bring Cebu out in the growing playing field to get a bigger share of the global economic pie,” stressed CBM 2008 chairperson Tess Chan.

With numerous activities lined-up for the event proper, CBM will also host several segments of activities such as the ICT Summit and conference including the first Cebu Open Source Summit that will showcase Cebu’s ICT roadmap and strategies, Techno Tour, Shop Cebu, Go Negosyo, Tourism Conference, the Grand Chamber Awards as well as other events like local job fairs, cultural shows, sports events, forums, road shows, training series and exhibits.

“Since we are gearing up towards global play, we chose “Converge in Cebu” as it best promotes our aim of bringing in international and local businesses to explore in one venue and expand their business marketing opportunities,” explained CCCI Tourism Committee chairperson Mila Espina about the relevance of the theme with this years CBM.

CBM also aims to strengthen partnership between the private and public sector to propel Cebu’s local economy that will result to its growth and development as they highlight products and services that can be found all over Cebu’s countryside towns and provinces through the Suroy- Suroy sa Sugbo.

Other highlights for this year’s Cebu business month also include: capacity and skills enhancement trainings and SME Clinic organized together with Pearl2 bringing together consultants and experts to discuss ways and means to aid entrepreneurs to do their businesses well, the introduction of the CBM website and the Grand Exposition which will showcase the country’s products, services and manpower skills, as well as our technical resources.