Zambo Hosts Business Confab

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Darwin Wee / 03 Apr) The Zamboanga Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Foundation Inc. (ZCCFI) and the Mindanao Business Council (MBC) are to formally launch the 15th Mindanao Business Conference (Minbizcon) and its official logo on April 18 at the Garden Orchid in Zamboanga City.

Teresita Uy Sebastian, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (PCCI) regional governor for Western Mindanao, said the conference would give an opportunity to promote Zamboanga City as an emerging economic hub in Mindanao.

Sebastian said the unveiling of the logo -- conceptualized and designed by the regional Department of Science and Technology -- would give this year's Minbizcon its unique identity.

The conference is also supported by the Mindanao Economic Development Council, the United States Agency for Development-Growth with Equity in Mindanao, Globe Telecom and the Zamboanga City government.

Romeo Serra, who is currently the chairman of the MBC and the new chairman for the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area Business Council (BEBC), is expected to open grace the event.

This year's theme: "The Best of The Philippines," will serve as an occasion to review and examine programs that will help boost local products, from seaweeds to rubber, especially the huge agricultural sector of Mindanao and the critical role of the small and medium enterprises.

The Minbizcon is an annual conference of businessmen in Mindanao and had been held in different regions of the island since it started in 1992. It also serves as venue where businessmen draw specific responses to key issues concerning business in the southern region.

Sebastian said they would also discuss other issues that are important in the achievement of socio-economic development and political stability in Mindanao.

"The confab aims at to promote Mindanao as an investment haven and to serve as venue for the enactment of resolutions that would address the concerns and problems of Mindanao businessmen," she told the Zamboanga Journal.