CBM 2014 to focus on integration issues

CEBU, Philippines - Next year’s Cebu Business Month (CBM 2014) will focus more on the issue of market integration to strengthen Cebu’s preparedness for the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

Now on its 17th year, CBM 2014 that will be chaired by Virginia Foods Inc., president Felix O. Tiukinhoy, Jr., will carry the theme "ASEAN 2015 and Beyond," and is seen to strengthen Cebu's positioning in the ASEAN integration.

While the month-long celebration will also highlight the key industries in Cebu, the Business Process Outsourcing/Management, tourism, entrepreneurship, and the creative sector, and more in-depth discussions and series of fora will be conducted to make sure that Cebuanos will be able make it in the frontier of competition within the ASEAN region.

Tiukinhoy said while Cebu was affected by different crises in 2013, the business community has to "work even harder to sustain growth and economic development of Cebu and neighboring islands.”

"We have to initiate, undertake bolder moves to prepare for ASEAN integration. We need to build our capabilities ensuring the competitiveness of the business sector," added Tiukinhoy.

CCCI president and chairman for the ASEAN Economic Integration said that  as early as now, the chamber is going to forge partnerships and strong networking with business communities in developing economies like Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam.

While the local and provincial governments have yet to give their financial support for the largest and longest jubilee of business community, CCCI is pursuing a bolder move to push Cebu as one of the front liners not only in the regional integration, but also in the global economy.

CBM is a yearly event of the CCCI, which aims to highlight, celebrate and inspire more successes in the Cebu business community by gathering various business sectors and stakeholders of Cebu, highlighting the city and the province's many products and services, opportunities and growth areas, all aimed at showcasing Cebu as a business and investment capital in the Philippines and the region.

CBM 2014 held its official kick-off ceremony yesterday at the Cebu Parklane International Hotel. /JOB (FREEMAN)