THE upcoming Visayas Area Business Conference and Expo in Bacolod City will underscore the importance of government and private sector partnership for growth and development.
Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) Chief Executive Officer Frank Carbon, at the sidelines of the opening of Negros Business Week at Robinsons Place Bacolod said yesterday, July 9, representatives of businesses, local government units, and academe from Western, Central and Eastern Visayas will gather for a three-day event starting August 30 this year.
Plenary sessions and seminars will be held at L'Fisher Hotel while the Agriculture and Livestock Expo is at the SM City Bacolod Activity Center.
Carbon said the conference and exposition are also aimed at building capacities and finding solutions.
"We can only do so much without the help of the government. If we work on our own, the impact is minimal," he said, adding that "we should work together supported with technology and research."
The conference, which the MBCCI is hosting, includes activities like chamber management seminar.
During which, former governor and provincial consultant on investment promotions, export, and trade development Rafael Coscolluela will talk on the importance of the business sector, particularly its active participation in the local development council.
Carbon pointed out that the local development councils should not be dominated by the politicians "who do not have the right business sense."
The conference will also demonstrate the need of different regions.
Carbon said Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino will receive their development proposals.
There will also be talks about the "build, build, build" project of the government, he said, adding that "we want to know what these infrastructure projects are for the Visayas, aside from the Negros-Panay Bridge."
Meanwhile, the opening of this year's business week was also led by other MBCCI officials headed by their president Roberto Montelibano along with Provincial Administrator Lucille Gelvolea.
The annual event, which started in 2010, is initiated by the MBCCI and the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental.
It was also graced by Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) regional governor for Western Visayas Donna Rose Ratilla and Bacolod Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Alfredo Barcelona.
It gathers at least 30 enterprises in the province. Most of them are "blue-collar" entrepreneurs, or small businesses, from rural and agricultural areas.
Carbon reiterated that 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.
The activity 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 Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, and other government agencies.