Zambo Business Confab Draws Huge Support

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Darwin Wee / 19 Apr) Different government agencies, the private sector and the local government of Zamboanga have pledged its support to the Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Foundation, Inc.(ZCCFI) and the Mindanao Business Council (MBC) in the conduct of the 15th Mindanao Business Conference (Minbizcon) here in August.

Terresita Uy-Sebastian, regional governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), said: "This will be an opportunity to promote Zamboanga City and the entire Zamboanga peninsula as an emerging economic hub of Mindanao."

She said the confab will be participated by top business leaders and government policymakers and investors from Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia and Japan.

Romeo Serra, MBC and new BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia,Philippine-East ASEAN Growth Area) Business Council chairman, said this year's confab would play a special role because it is expected to discuss important agenda that will help sustain and enhance the economic opportunities in Mindanao.

Mayor Celso Lobregat said being chosen to host the conference is a manifestation that Zamboanga City is fast becoming a trading hub and venue for big business meetings because of the improved peace and order situation.

The conference is supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Agriculture, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Tourism.

It is also supported by the National Computer Center, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, National Economic and Development Authority, Task Force Zamboanga, 55th Engineering Brigade, the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority, and the local government of Zamboanga.

The private sectors also pledged support to the conference -- Movement for Better Zamboanga, Industrial Group of Zamboanga, Inc., Zamboanga Filipino–Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Filipino-Chinese Federation of Business and Professional Women of the Philippines, Integrated Filipino-Chinese Association of Zamboanga City and the Philippine National Bank.