Thursday, May 10, 2007 Foreign bizmen deterred from attending RP trade fairs: exhibitor
THE Philippines could earn billions of dollars from business trade fairs if it could only put up the necessary infrastructure and make the environment more "business-friendly".
Stephen Tan, chief executive of Singapore Exhibition Services Pte Ltd., said encouraging business leaders to attend trade conferences and fair in the Philippines "is very difficult".
In recalling their two attempts to put up business trade fairs in the country, Tan said "we found it was very difficult for us to encourage overseas companies to participate in the show" and this is mainly because of the problem on security.
Citing Singapore where they hold the annual Asia Communic and the Enterprise IT, Tan said the Singaporean government earned about US$1.3 billion yearly.
"If the Philippine Government wants to have (international trade fairs) shows like this they have to build larger venues, invest in infrastructure and improve the security system," he told reporters during a roundtable discussion Wednesday at the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati City.
He said many foreign business leaders are discouraged from attending trade fairs in the country due to "high security" measures being implemented fairs because it causes them "much inconvenience".
Tan said in assuring the security and welfare of the foreign participants, it shouldn't be intrusive but "subtle". "The business leaders coming to the Philippines must feel at ease," he added.
He said Filipinos are "very hospitable and friendly" and this is a basic ingredient that a country needs to attract possible investors. "The basic ingredient is already there but the surroundings need to be changed. The Philippines has to re-resurrect itself in the business community (to encourage foreign capitalists)," he lamented.
Tan said a good indicator to determine the economic condition in a country is the conduct of trade exhibitions because it means foreign capitalists are coming in. "Trade exhibitions, for me, are a reflection of how well business is being conducted in the country," he said.
Meanwhile, Singapore will be holding the annual Communic Asia and Enterprise IT where firms from 48 countries will participate. Twelve companies from the Philippines to be led by Globe Telecoms, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and Mabuhay Philippine Satellite Corporation, will be leveraging on the platform to reach out in the region and beyond. (MSN/Sunnex)
