Friday, January 27, 2006
Chamber bullish on city econ after ATF
THE Davao City Chamber of Commerce Inc. (DCCCI) expressed optimism the city's economy will soar after it hosted the 25th Asean Tourism Forum (ATF).
DCCCI president Bienvenido Cariaga Wednesday said the city's hosting of the forum was a good start for investment.
Cariaga said hotel operators earned much dollars during the forum as all hotels were fully booked, with restaurant and transportation sector also teeming with customers.
Cariaga said the P27 million budget allotted by the City Government for hosting the forum will be replaced in terms of investments and taxes.
"Assuming the City Government allocated P30 million, if businessmen issued receipts, there is always the VAT, in terms of taxes, mas sobra pa siguro ang babalik," he said.
Councilor Susan Isabel C. Reta supported Cariaga's statement. Reta, in a privilege speech Tuesday, said Davao City has gained the confidence of the investors after it showed that it can host a very big event.
"I am really optimistic that the city will go well and we will achieve what we have been aiming for to be a tourist destination in Mindanao," Reta said in an interview.
She said the ATF was a success because of the team work between the private and government sector.
"We also hope that all the hardships and efforts of the barangay will really continue," she said.
She said the city is facing a big responsibility when it accepted to host ATF, with only little money to work with. The city, she said, did not have the luxury of time with only 130 days to prepare. (BRQ)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (January 27, 2006 issue)
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