EXECUTIVES coming from large companies have been invited to speak in the upcoming fourth Davao Investment Conference (Icon) on July 20 to 22 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang.
During the Kapehan sa Dabaw weekly forum at SM City Davao, Icon 2017 chairman Arturo Milan said executives coming from companies with ventures in power, internet connectivity, and air connectivity are expected to speak about the status and the future of the industries they belong to Icon.
Milan said power, internet connectivity, and air connectivity are some of the challenges that are being faced by investors coming to the region.
President and chief executive officer of Aboitiz Power Corporation Antonio Morazahas been invited to talk about the status of power in Mindanao.
Eric Alberto, chief revenue officer of Smart Communications was also invited to talk about the future of internet connectivity.
John Tria, program committee chairperson of the Icon 2017, said slow internet connection in the Philippines had been an impending concern initially raised in 2013 when the first Icon was conducted.
Jaime Bautista, president and chief operating officer of Philippine Airlines (Pal) Holdings, Inc. was also invited to talk about the future and the plans of Pal regarding opening foreign destinations from Davao.
“This is one key deciding factor for an investor to invest in Davao, if there are air linkages,” said Milan.
He said there have been rumors of Davao-Narita, Japan, China-Davao, and Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia-Davao flights to be established, while the Manado, Indonesia-Davao flight is also being looked into to be reactivated.
“We just wanted to get a clear picture whether these plans of connecting Davao to foreign destinations will come to reality,” he said.
Milan added invitations for these three executives had been sent out and they are currently waiting for their confirmation.