Saturday, August 23, 2008 Minbizcon kicks off on Aug. 27-29
DIPOLOG CITY -- The annual Mindanao Business Conference (Minbizcon) will be held in this city next week as scheduled despite recent incidents of armed conflict in other parts of the region, Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Uy said Friday.
"Since participants have committed themselves to attending the Minbizcon, and the PNP (Philippine National Police] and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) have guaranteed security, there is no reason not to push through with the event," Uy told reporters in a press conference.
The Dipolog Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is hosting the conference, issued a statement, saying: "We are one with the people of Dipolog, Dapitan, and Zamboanga del Norte in claiming that our place is among the most peaceful in Mindanao."
As of Friday, almost all the speakers had re-confirmed their participation in the conference, organizers said.
More than 200 businessmen, most of them representing chambers of commerce from across Mindanao and the rest of the country, have also confirmed their attendance.
"The 17th Mindanao Business Conference is not only for the Dipolog Chamber. It is for the entire Mindanao business community," said Dipolog chamber president Ed Bagarinao.
The conference will be held at the Zamboanga del Norte Convention Center from August 27 to 29.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) organized the event with support from USAid's Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco), and Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro).
The Minbizcon serves as the primary venue for generating local and foreign investment in Mindanao, sharing best practices in economic development, and fostering a more competitive business environment. The focus this year is on partnership between the public and private sectors, particularly in agro-industry.
There will also be plenary presentations on logistics for agriculture, trade prospects, tourism and call center investment opportunities, revenue generation for local governments, and the impact of social development and management programs on mining communities.
