THE 4TH Davao Investment Conference (Icon) on July 21 to 22 will still push through despite the martial law declaration, as confirmed by the Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC).
During the Ispeak media forum at City Hall last Thursday, DCIPC head Lemuel Ortonio said they had met with Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) last Monday, May 29, and they said the Davao Icon will still be pushed.
This is despite a number of hotel bookings, accommodations, and various events and activities in the city that had already been postponed following the declaration of martial law.
“It will be pushed through because they see that there is no need to postpone it and it would be a waste of opportunity. We, at DCIPC, are also helping in inviting more investors to participate in this conference,” Ortonio said.
The theme for this year’s conference would revolve around “Davao: The Gateway to a World of Infinite Investments” with the objective of bringing together potential buyers, investors, industry leaders, and government experts. The goal is to tackle Davao and Mindanao business opportunities in the areas of infrastructures and connectivity, tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture.
It will be conducted at the SMX Convention Center of SM Lanang Premier and targets to have at least 700 participants, around half of whom are foreigners coming from South Korea, Japan, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and other members of the Association of Southeast Nations (Asean).
Business executives and government officials from the European Union, Australia, and the United States are also expected to come.
The event will highlight on-site visits to economic and industrial zones, IT Parks, and public safety command center, trade exhibition, and business matching.
He added their office is very glad of the strong support of the different industry associations in the city. He acknowledged the effort of DCCCII in bringing in more investors in the city in line with the objectives of DCIPC.
Ortonio said there were Chinese and Korean investors that visited their office last week to inquire of possible investments that they can be involved in Davao City. Ortonio said the number of investment inquiries for Davao City is still the same despite the martial law declaration.
“We can’t really say that the investment is not entirely affected. Definitely there is a slight impact. We can’t say that the Martial Law didn’t really have an effect on the investments in the city,” Ortonio said.