Thursday, December 28, 2006 Ouano to Capitol: Lure international meetings, exhibits
THE Provincial Government should promote the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) to international organizers of meetings, exhibits and conventions, according to a local government official.
Mandaue Mayor Thadeo Ouano said while the CICC will be open to local event organizers, it is “best suited” for international meetings, conventions and exhibitions.
“We have already discussed with the Provincial Government what to do with CICC after the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit,” Ouano said in an interview.
He said international meetings, exhibits and conventions will not only elevate Cebu —and Mandaue City, in particular— as an “emerging convention center in Asia,” but will also make CICC a more enterprising facility.
This early, several local organizations have already expressed willingness to hold events at the CICC, he said.
Earlier, Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. (CFIF) president Michael Basubas said the Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition (Cebu X) will be held annually at the CICC starting 2008.
Basubas earlier said CFIF believes that CICC can bring about a significant change in the look of Cebu X, especially with China’s entry into the global furniture market and its effect on local exporters.
“We have a stake in the completion of the CICC, as it will be the future venue of the Cebu X shows,” he said.
The Cebu Auto Dealers Association (Cada) of Cebu has also considered the CICC as a feasible venue for its first car exhibit next month.
The exhibit will showcase the latest models from different car dealers in Cebu.
Ouano earlier said because of the construction of the CICC, the City Government has amended the zoning of the reclamation area to complement the convention center.
Apart from the Cebu Boardwalk, Ouano disclosed other multimillion developments in the area that will include a hotel, casino, recreational facility, a school and the relocation of a duty free outlet.
Ouano said he is optimistic these new developments will generate additional employment of as much as 109,000. (MMM)
