THE Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) is launching today its magazine entitled "Rediscovering Negros" during the opening of the weeklong Negros Business Week at Robinsons Place Bacolod.
The magazine published twice a year is the chamber's attempt to feature Negros including activities, projects, and sites, among others, which may have been ignored or forgotten for some time.
These still have value and offer some excitement, MBCCI Chief Executive Officer Frank Carbon said yesterday, July 8.
Carbon said this is one of their initiatives to promote Negros Island and hoped to encourage more visits and investments.
"This digest will open the eyes of Negrenses and other people to see the new marvels of Negros," he said, adding that "readers will not be seeing the usual chicken inasal and MassKara Festival but more of new things not yet in the know of the many."
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the business group will have a ceremonial turnover of the copy of the magazine to Provincial Administrator Lucille Gelvolea.
The magazine contains photo essays and will just serve as teaser of the publication.
The detailed content will be made available online or through its digital version. The site has yet to be launched.
Carbon said copies of the magazine will be distributed to visitors especially during huge gatherings like the upcoming Visayas Area Business Conference to be hosted by the province in August.
Meanwhile, this year's Negros Business Week is themed "Government and Business: Partnering for Growth and Development."
This will gather at least 30 exhibitors mostly from localities outside Bacolod City including those assisted by local government units.
Now on its ninth year, the activity is highlighting blue-collar entrepreneurs especially those outside the city and urban areas.
Carbon earlier said investments and jobs are centered in the city and urban areas, thus, there is a need to develop rural areas through one, supporting small businesses there to grow.
It aims to enable small business from rural areas to expose their products and see whether it can be sold in city or urban areas.
Also, it would provide them the opportunity to tap potential bigger markets.
Aside from display and selling, participating-entrepreneurs will also be availing "consultations" with the DOST, DTI and other government agencies, he added.