THE Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc. (DCCCII) through the Davao Investment Conference (Davao Icon 2025) aims to position the city as a strategic gateway for trade and investment across the Asean region and beyond, during its back-to-back run of the Davao Agri-Trade Expo on September 17-21, 2025, at SMX Convention Center.
DCCCII Chairperson for Davao Icon 2025, Jennifer Ellen Dumlao, emphasized that the conference’s role is to foster cross-border collaborations. She highlighted this year’s theme, “Beyond Borders: Navigating the New Frontier,” as an invitation to tap into the city’s immense potential.
“Davao is no longer just a city of promise; it is now a strategic gateway to opportunities across Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, within the East Asean Growth Area and beyond,” she said during the Kapehan sa Davao, on Monday morning, May 5, 2025, at SM City Davao.
Davao Icon 2025 will tackle trends, opportunities, and challenges in the investment landscape, focusing on connecting Davao City with neighboring cities, municipalities, provinces, and Asean countries through trade and investment.
Dumlao said that the event will host around 350 delegates, with foreign embassies, consulates, and chambers from countries like China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and India.
“Some Asean countries have also expressed interest because of their tariff concerns, one topic that we will be having,” she said.
Dumlao underscored the city’s resilience, even during challenging times. “Even in the midst of the pandemic, Davao still thrives. A lot of investors still come to Davao, new townships popping up,” she said.
Addressing promotional challenges, she acknowledged competition in price, quality, and connectivity. “Those are the things we wish to tackle in Icon… we wish to find solutions by looking to other people as well as inside our city and country,” Dumlao explained.
The conference will feature focus industries — trade and tourism, manufacturing, real estate and infrastructure, agriculture, and information technology — alongside events like a golf tournament on September 17 at Rancho Palos Verdes, industry site tours on September 20-21 with the Department of Tourism, and the Agri Fiesta, celebrating Davao’s agricultural heritage.
The concurrent Davao Agri-Trade Expo will host 180 exhibitors and expect over 5,000 visitors, with business matching sessions, technical seminars, and workshops.
DCCCII Secretary General Maan Doromal highlighted the chamber’s role as the “chamber of the future” working with local governments on initiatives like halal agriculture and tourism to welcome investments.
Doromal said that they have ongoing training to strengthen family businesses and corporations, adding that Icon helps businesses determine if they are ready for expansion or joint ventures. She said that the conference would not only serve as an avenue to exchange ideas but also to help local industries, as well as the tourism sector, close deals. Germa R. Siazon, UM Intern