Monday, August 27, 2007 European chamber developing website to help promote Cebu
CEBU will soon be a click away for potential European investors and tourists.
This, as the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) will launch early next month www.cebueuropeconnect.com, an online portal that presents Cebu as an investment and tourism hub in the Philippines, said the ECCP Cebu Business Council chairman Sabino Dapat.
“It will be the gateway for Europeans to do business in Cebu and vice versa. It will be a stepping stone to creating trade relations,” he said.
In the website presentation and press conference last Friday at the ECCP office in Cebu City, the chamber stressed that the website’s homepage is a platform specifically designed to promote business and leisure opportunities in the province.
Cebu will be “effective” being in the forefront of promoting the Philippines, said Jurgen Pesch, general manager of Christ Philippines Inc., manufacturer of leather and sheepskin garments operating inside the Mactan Economic Zone (MEZ) 1.
Tool
“Cebu as a brand is something special like Bali of Indonesia and Phuket of Thailand. It deserves direct promotion because there have not been enough tools to promote the island in the way it deserves,” Pesch said.
The website also features a fact sheet on why Cebu is a viable investment destination and information on key industries as well as events. It also contains a page on frequently asked questions about doing business in Cebu and provides links to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
ECCP membership and business development officer Pia Velasquez said another content dubbed, “Europe in Cebu,” will soon be added to the website and will feature testimonials of successful European businessmen in the province.
In the same development, Roselu Paloma, ECCP branch manager, called on industry associations of partner organizations like DTI, Cebu Investment Promotions Center, MEZ 1 and 2, and Philexport-Cebu to have themselves listed at no extra cost and help in promoting the website to their clients or partners, especially in Europe.
“This will only be successful if there’s a buy-in for partners and clients,” she said.
She also said businesses like hotels can also use the website to display their services through advertisements. She added that she is optimistic the website will help spur tourism-related activities in Cebu.
ECCP members in Cebu are involved in the fashion accessories, furniture, cable, leather goods, furnishings and software and information technology industries. (MMM)
