Wednesday, February 21, 2007
CCCI launches business month 2007
WITH the success of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Leaders’ Summit held in Cebu last month, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is optimistic that activities for this year’s Cebu Business Month will attract participants from Asean and other countries.
Even discussions about the elections in May have not dampened CCCI’s enthusiasm for the annual event.
“We believe that the upcoming election will not affect the attendance of foreign delegates (to our activities),” CBM 2007 chairperson Samuel Chioson said.
CCCI yesterday launched the CBM 2007, which carries the theme “Let’s Go Cebu!,” at the Shangri-la Mactan Island Resort and Spa. CBM is celebrated annually from February to June.
The Province of Cebu, represented by Provincial Board Member Agnes Magpale, and Cebu City, represented by Vice Mayor Michael Rama, both pledged their support to the CBM.
Both officials, however, did not specify what kind of support or assistance the Province and the City will extend to the CCCI.
During the launching of CBM 2006, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña each pledged P1 million for the CBM.
Meanwhile, CCCI president Francis Monera said CCCI will conduct an Asean Inter-Regional Roadshow from March to May in 11 selected countries in Asia including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, to promote major activities of the CBM.
Among these activities are the Cebu Asean Tourism Congress, and the Cebu information and communications technology (ICT) conference and exhibition.
Mila Espina, chairperson of the Asean Tourism Congress, said CCCI aims to get at least 15 delegates from each country.
“(If we are able to attract participants from these countries,) the benefits will be long-term,” she said.
The choice of the theme for this year’s CBM reflects the “readiness” of Cebu to rise up to the challenge of globalization, after building a track record of success over many years, Monera said.
“(The theme) ‘let’s go Cebu’ focuses on three drivers behind the Cebu advantage — tourism, ICT and entrepreneurship,” he said.
For the first time in 16 years, CBM has its own jingle. The lyrics of the jingle is written by Mila Espina while the music is made by Paul Melendez.
CBM, which started in 1991 as an event of the CCCI in June, is now a business’ festival of events celebrated from February to June. (JBN)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 21, 2007 issue)
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