IT'S all systems go for host Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation (Oro Chamber) as it prepares to host the biggest annual gathering of businessmen and policymakers not just from Mindanao but from the whole country.
Over 1,000 businessmen are expected to attend the 26th Mindanao Business Conference (Minbizcon) which will begin on Thursday, September 7, at the Xavier Sports and Country Club.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez is expected to grace the first day of the three-day gathering to deliver the opening keynote.
President Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to deliver the keynote address as the event's guest of honor on September 9.
The plenaries for the conference include, "DBP's Max-Infra in the Dutertenomics" by Development Bank of the Philippines' First Vice President Paul Lazaro, and the "Legislative Agenda for Mindnao SME Development" by Senator Migz Zubiri, chairman for Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship in the Senate.
Also included in the list of plenaries are, "Russia: Exploring the Potentials of Mindnao" by Russian H.E. Ambassador Igor A. Khovaev, "Mindanao Industrial Eco-Zone Development and Opportunities" by Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, and "Mindanao Forum on Breakthrough Technologies" by Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña, and will be joined by Edgar Garcia of the DOST-TAPI (Techonology Application and Promotion Institute).
There will also be a panel discussion on "Building a Disaster-Resilient Economy in Mindanao" by geologist and A. Brown Company Inc. chairman Dr. Walter Brown, economist Dr. Bernie Villegas, and Emerging Power Inc. chief executive officer Guido Delgado. A discussion on "Accessing Domestic and International Markets/Taking Advantage of the Bilateral Trade Agreement" will also be tackled by Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Mindanao Business Council Chairman Vicente Lao, and Dr. Henry Basilio of USAID-Compete.
Aside from trade exhibits, business-matching, and workshops, the “Go Mindanao Tour Buses” will also be launched during the event.
All issues and resolutions affecting the Mindanao businessmen, will form part of the agenda at the 43rd Philippine Business Conference in October.
The event is hosted by the Oro Chamber, and both the city and provincial governments.
This year's theme: “Emerging Opportunities-One Mindanao," aims to set the stage for discussing innovative strategies towards building a strong and resilient economy.