OCEAN 18 to focus on 6 economic pillar industries

CEBU, Philippines — This year's OCEAN 18 (Open Collaboration for East Asian Nation) aims to uplift the Philippine's six foundational industries that are seen to bring the country to higher economic gains.

Organized by the Pinoy global shapers led by Filipino-American businessman and venture capitalist Winston Damarillo, the OCEAN 18 identified six essential industries that will be the point of discussion during two sessions scheduled in Cebu on July 27 and November this year.

In a press conference yesterday, Damarillo said there is a need for the Philippines' grassroot industries to be given importance and access to opportunities, and this is the main goal of the OCEAN 18 event this year.

The six economic pillar industries identified are; creative industry; education; food and agriculture; global Filipino engagement; healthcare; and tourism.

Individual entrepreneurs or what is known as Indi-preneurs in these industries are encouraged to be part of the OCEAN 18 events to get the right tools and directions on how to grow their respective businesses.

Patterned after the Swiss' non-profit foundation World Economic Forum (WEF), the OCEAN 18 is the Philippine version, which started in 2015.

This coming 27th, OCEAN 18 will bring in experts in business such as the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and Design Thinking coaches to mentor the indi-preneurs.

The first session also aims to discover the different concerns, needs of these industries, to enable the organizers to formulate the right program flow by November.

In the second session in November to be held at Movenpick Resort in Mactan, OCEAN 18 shall publish a white paper and policy recommendations to lawmakers and government agencies on how to effectively help these six economic pillar industries.

Start-up indi-preneurs and small firms in these six industries will not only be coached and mentored by experts, but they are also given the opportunity to access the real and vast market through linking them with the giant companies, as well as chance to get help in capital requirements, among others.

The event is not limited to indi-preneurs from Cebu only but also those from key cities and other provinces are invited to participate by applying through the OCEAN 18 website.

A search for indi-preneur is also being launched to identify shapers in the six essential industries, said global shaper Ceeli Martinez-Miranda, co-founder Create Cebu.

OCEAN 18 is organized by Global Shapers Foundation, an affiliate of World Economic Forum.