Cebu to host gathering of foreign businessmen

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations Environment Ministers Meeting has just concluded but Cebu is again bracing for another historical event as it will host the upcoming 4th ASEAN Business and Investment Summit on December 7 to 10, just a few days before the 12th ASEAN Leaders' Summit starts.

The formal launching and press briefing about the international event is set on November 18.

The business sector expects that the holding of the business summit will open doors to new investments in Cebu and new global markets for the export products of the region. It will also be a great opportunity for networking and business matching for local enterprises in the Visayas.

Likewise, the event will serve as a venue for the region to showcase its products and potential as host to various industry and business ventures.

Most of all, it will provide business and corporate leaders with invaluable insight into the implications of ASEAN integration into the strategies of the regional and global business and investment communities. The activity will also be an opportunity for the corporate world to engage heads of governments on issues of the day that are of importance to the corporate world.

More than 10,000 Filipino companies and at least 50,000 foreign others throughout the ASEAN region and beyond are expected to link during the three-day business conference.

The Cebu City and Mandaue City Chambers of Commerce and Industry will co-host the investment summit as they have been conducting regular meetings together with some sectoral associations, concerned organizations and agencies. Committees have already been formed on business agenda, finance, media and promotions, reception and entertainment to take care of various concerns for the successful hosting of the conference.

Major highlights of the summit are the conference exhibits that will showcase Philippine products not only to ASEAN businessmen but also to other countries such as United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, India and China.

There are now 20 booths available for all interested Cebu exhibitors. The booths are priced at $2,500 and $1,500, depending on the size.

All Visayas entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend and register early because those who register before November 15 are given discounts. The fee is only P7,500 for those who register before the mentioned date.

The registration will entitle the delegate to attend all conferences, sessions and discussion, lunches, drinks, reception and full conference documentation for the three-day event.

Those who are interested to attend may coordinate and contact the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. - Wenna A. Berondo