A “TEST” of the industry’s resilience, perseverance and ability to innovate.
This is how Edgardo Lacson, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), described the current challenges affecting the business community.
“Some of these challenges are already beyond our control,” said Lacson, in his speech during the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Grand Chamber Awards. “(But) now is the time to think out of the box,” he added.
Lacson was among the special guests of the Grand Chamber Awards held at the Cebu International Convention Center Monday night. The awards night marked the culmination of the Cebu Business Month (CBM) 2008, organized by CCCI.
Lacson urged Cebuano businesses to focus on different “key enablers” to harness the industry here.
Indispensable
“These are the inherent and indispensable component (to give) Cebu a world-class status in the 21st century,” Lacson said, referring to information technology, tourism and the small and medium businesses.
He said that it is also important for the private sector to work closely with the government in formulating policies and implementing programs to make the industry more competitive against other Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries.
This year’s CBM is considered as a “prelude” to the CCCI’s 100th anniversary. The CCCI turned 95 in 2008.
During the Grand Chamber Awards, CCCI awarded five entrepreneurs. Among the five awardees is University of Cebu president Augusto Go, who was chosen as “Entrepreneur of the Year.”
Awardees
Other awardees are: Jane Jane T. Ong of Leona’s (as small business entrepreneur), Philip N. Tan of Wellmade Motors for displaying social responsibility, City Councilor Nestor Archival as environmentally responsible entrepreneur and Mario Patricio P. Barcenas of MatMat’s Chicharon as the “Countryside Microentrepreneur of the Year.”
CCCI also conferred an award of distinction to German chamber Handwerk-skammer Kassel (HWK).
HWK was one of CCCI’s partners during its first years as an organization, through a Philippine-German cooperation program.
CCCI president Edward Gaisano, with the help of past presidents of the chamber, handed the award to HWK. A representative of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber also presented a token to HWK.
Former executive managing director of HWK, Nikolaus Schuchhardt, flew in from Germany to receive the award.
During his speech, Schuchhardt explained that HWK means “small business for the smallest one,” and the group works for the sustainability of small and medium businesses in Germany.
He also said that in coming back to Cebu, he saw a number of opportunities for HWK and CCCI to partner again in various programs, including one that will involve senior experts in Germany who can hold trainings for the industry in the Philippines.
Schuchhardt said he is one of those experts who are prepared to provide help to the local industry.
He said the implementation of professional business education is just one idea for a common project that HWK and CCCI can undertake. (DME)
