Friday, March 23, 2007 French, Finnish investors eye Cebu
MEMBERS of different chambers of commerce in at least eight countries are exploring the possibility of investing in Cebu Province, with some saying they will make it a venue of their companies’ expansion.
Dominique Lebastard, chief of the economic department of the French Embassy, said it is only “logical” for businessmen to look at Cebu as an investment site considering its accessibility and skilled work force.
Lebastard said that Le Club, the French Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, would have wanted to come to Cebu and talk to Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia but thought of inviting her instead to Manila where members of the British, Spanish, Indian, Taiwanese, Belgian, Finnish, Israeli and Singapore chambers of commerce can also listen to her.
Aside from the European chambers of commerce, members of the Association of the International Business Executives, the Makati Business Club and the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce also heard Garcia promote Cebu Province as a tourist and investment destination.
“We are excited about Cebu as a historical island and we are fortunate to learn more about the opportunities in Cebu. We will do all that we can to direct as much tourists and investments to Cebu,” said Petteri Makitalo, vice president of the Philippines Finland Association after Garcia’s speech at a hotel in Pasay City.
Michel Hermelin, vice president of the French Chamber of Commerce, said they are now planning to organize a French chamber in Cebu to help attract more French people to do business in the island.
Hermelin said that as of now, most French companies are mostly in Manila.
Lebastard and Maersk Global Service Center’s chief executive officer Erik Nielsen, however, pointed out the need to have direct flights connecting Cebu to Europe.
Nielsen approached the governor after her speech to say that he will confer with his head office this May to propose that Cebu will be made as an expansion area of Maersk, a giant shipping agent.
“Cebu presents itself as an extremely interesting destination especially with the willingness of its workforce to put in more efforts. We’re looking at Cebu as an expansion area,” said Nielsen, adding that as of now Maersk’s office is only in Manila.
Bernard Flour, president of Le Club, said having a woman governor is a “plus” factor for Cebu because Filipino women are known to be a “driving force in the country” with their “capability of doing things and understanding better.”
Flour said, “We were very pleased not to hear a technical or highly political speech.”
The governor set aside her prepared speech and delivered an extemporaneous one on her background in the private sector, the businesses she was into, the innovation she introduced in government since she became governor, her various projects and Capitol’s proposed undertakings.
This was because Joel Mari Yu of the Cebu Investment and Promotions Center spoke ahead of her and discussed what would have been the content of her speech such as Cebu’s history, statistics and strengths.
French Ambassador Gerard Chesnel, for his part, said it was good that Garcia stressed an “important point” that Cebu City is not Cebu and that Cebu is not just Cebu City.
“It is important for businessmen to realize the difference between the City and the Province,” said Chesnel.
Manuel Osmeña, chairman of Goldland Philippines Corp. that operates Hilton Cebu Resort and Towers, said Garcia’s message was “that we love Cebu and we will do anything for Cebu. We sold Cebu there.” (JPM)
