Cebu Business Month 2013 to focus on priority sectors

CEBU, Philippines - To further intensify the investment climate and competitiveness of Cebu, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) recently launched the Cebu Business Month 2013 that mainly focuses on the fastest-growing priority sectors economic pillars of the local economy.

This is also in line with the celebration of the chamber’s 110th anniversary, driven with a common vision to be the engine of Cebu’s business growth towards global competitiveness.

Last Wednesday, CCCI president Lito Maderazo said that this year’s CBM would highlight the sustainable growth of the present economic foundations of Cebu which include tourism, information and communications technology and business process outsourcing (ICT-BPO), entrepreneurship and creative industries.

He added that beyond the direct contribution of the key-growth sectors to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, these industries are also considered as significant drivers of economic and social innovation.

He said that the ICT-BPO industry posted an annual growth rate of 200 percent from 2000 to 2013 while the Department of Tourism projected around 2.6 to 2.8 million tourist arrivals in Cebu from the 2 million recorded in 2012.

“Cebu has and is expecting to see tremendous growth in these sectors for 2013. It is our goal to inject new energy and momentum into our economy, bolster new businesses and leverage the drivers of innovation and job creation to gain long-term economic growth and global competitiveness,” he said.

He further noted that the untapped potential of the creative industries to generate increasing employment and enhanced skills should also be acknowledged.

CBM 2013 Overall Chair Melanie Ng expressed enthusiasm with this year’s event as the local business community and the general public could expect fresh and new activities in addition to its existing events to be conducted all throughout the month of June.

“We promise you an exciting CBM celebration this year,” she stated.

With the theme Experience Cebu’s Creative Industries, ICT and BPO, Tourism and Entrepreneurship towards Powering Up for Global Business (Excite Cebu), the month long event shall uphold Cebu’s current surging industry sectors to promote cross-industrial partnerships, drive innovation and secure positive returns.

Ng cited that the event shall serve as a platform to enhance Cebu’s cutting edge in the global market through extensive information, connecting with counterparts, addressing advocacies and expanding tourism-related businesses, investments, and cultural exchanges.

CBM 2013 will start with the Grand Opening Salvo at the Ayala Terraces.

On June 2, CCCI will also hold its 1st Cebu Run for the Rivers that is intended to promote awareness of taking care of the endangered rivers and freshwater resources in the province and raise funds for the clean-up of our rivers and esteros.

Under the tourism thrust, CBM shall launch its Great Cebu Sale on June 2 at SM City Cebu Northwing with the vision of institutionalizing this grand activity as an avenue to promote the products and services of the region locally and globally.

The entire month will also host sales events from the retail, ICT- BPO, furniture, fashion, home accessories, exporters, hotels, restaurants, wellness and fitness, hardware and construction industries.

On June 4 to 5, the 2013 ICT and BPO Conference and Expo will be held at the Radisson Blu Hotel that aims to gather top executives and stakeholders of the IT and BPO industry, ICT leaders, government and academe.

The PhilConstruct Visayas 2013 will be held at Waterfront Lahug from June 6 to 8 while the Start Up Weekend Cebu will be at the University of San Carlos - Talamban Campus from June 7 to 9.

On June 14, The 2nd Cebu Creative Industries Summit will be held in SM City Cebu on June 14 and the Jobgantic Career Fair on June 15 at SM City Cebu Trade Hall.

In the area of entrepreneurship, micro, small and medium enterprises will be showcased during the EKO FEST that will be conducted at SM City Cebu Northwing from June 15 to 19 while the EKO Entrepreneurship Conference will be at Radisson Blu Hotel on the 19th.

With the theme “Cebu – the hub of sustainable lifestyle in the Philippines”, it aims to promote Cebu as the country’s green destination and to establish a paradigm shift among small-scale businesses and organizations towards the promotion of sustainable consumption and production.

There will also be a business-in-golf tournament at the Cebu Country Club on June 20.

From June 21 to 22, CBM 2013 will power up tourism with the Tourism Congress and Cebu City Tourism Night to be held at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu and P.E.O.P.L.E. Success Stories  and Arts and Culture at Ayala Center Cebu.

The 7th Cebu Regional Retail Conference by the Philippine Retailers Association - Cebu Chapter and the Philippine Franchise Association - Cebu will also be conducted on the 21st of June.

Another local job fair will be held at the Cebu City Sports Center on June 22.

CBM 2013 shall end with the Grand Chamber Awards and Fellowship Night at the Waterfront Lahug on June 28.

Launched in 1996, CBM is an annual event that encourages trade, commerce and investment by creating a helpful business ambiance in Cebu. /JOB (FREEMAN)