MEMBERS of the Cebu’s two biggest business chambers will fly to Manila to participate in the Asean Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) 2017 next week.
Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) will bring a delegation composed of eight members while the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) will also send representatives.
“We expect the summit to put our country in the map. We will gain more prominence as a nation. In the same manner, it will boost investor confidence. It will likewise give some clarity on the policies and objectives of the Asean in relation to business,” said MCCI president Glenn Anthony Soco.
“We hope to get inspired and learn new business insights from the speakers and world leaders,” he added.
CCCI president Melanie Ng, in a separate interview, said they are excited about the prospects and opportunities they will find by attending the ABIS.
“We hope the Philippines will be able to capitalize on this great opportunity for our MSMEs to learn, grow, and prosper in the Asean arena,” said Ng.
ABIS 2017 is a three-day conference on Nov. 12 to 14 in Solaire Resort and Casino in Manila.
Sixteen world leaders are expected to attend.
The Asean Business Advisory Council (Abac) headed by businessman Joey Concepcion III, who is also President Duterte’s advisor for entrepreneurship, has invited the state leaders of the Asean’s 10 member economies and the region’s six dialogue partners.
Some 30 global chief executive officers are invited to speak at the conference.
Abac will launch during the first day of the conference the Asean Mentors for Entrepreneurship Network, a pool of mentors across the 10 Asean member states to help MSMEs in the Asean Economic Community.
During his recent visit to Cebu, Concepcion emphasized the three important pillars crucial for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) development, which are mentorship, money and market.
Organized to serve as a platform for conversation among regional and global stakeholders in the Asean Economic Community, ABIS 2017 aims to bring attention to the business, investment opportunities, issues, and directions in the region.