Tech exchange with Danish firms seen to benefit SMEs

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry is looking forward to a possible technology exchange with Danish companies when it comes to the use of alternative sources of energy.

CCCI Vice President for External Affairs Ted Locson said this is especially beneficial for the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Cebu.

"I anticipate how this can help our small and medium enterprises," Locson told a recent meeting with Denmark's ambassador to the Philippines Jan Top Christensen in Cebu City.

The chamber official said Cebu has always been on the look-out for other technologies in alternative energy sources.  

Christensen cited energy as one of the areas that Denmark and Cebu can cooperate for possible partnerships.

Other areas include waste management, infrastructure, traffic, business process outsourcing, and agriculture technology.

In a related development, a Danish consultancy firm is one of those helping out in the construction of the Cebu-Cordova toll bridge, which will start this year.

Christensen was in Cebu last week to meet with Cebu's business leaders and local government officials, seeking for more opportunities for future partnership between Denmark and the Philippines.

In addition, Eric Ng Mendoza, president emeritus of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also expressed during the meeting the plan of Mandaue for re-zoning the city to accommodate more developments there.

He said the city may need help from experts to realize that.

"There is a lot of idle lands in Mandaue but these are not re-zoned," he said.

He added the City Council recently approved an investment code that would help implement the re-zoning plan in the city.

"We also offer incentives to those who want to invest in Mandaue," he said. (FREEMAN)