THIS year’s Davao Investment Conference (Icon) will focus on key investment areas in Davao, organizers said.
Icon 2017 Chairman Arturo Milan said Monday, March 6, the conference will be highlighting the manufacturing, infrastructure and connectivity, agriculture, and tourism sectors.
He said investments in these sectors are what Davao City and Davao Region currently need.
“We talked with the Regional Development Council and the Davao City Investment and Promotions Center so that we’re aligned to what we are actually facilitating with the investment program of the city and the region,” said Milan.
Different cabinet members such as Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III have confirmed their attendance at the conference.
“These are the sectors of the economy that are actually increasing in their contribution to gross domestic product so our intention is to bring in these kinds of investments because these are also the kind of investments that generate jobs particularly manufacturing,” said John Tria, Icon Program Committee Chairperson, adding the coming cabinet members are the ones forming both the core and the support to the president’s economic team.
Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc. (DCCCII) President Ronald Go also said President Rodrigo Roa-Duterte confirmed his attendance at the conference.
“We really wanted to make it big because there’s no better time to really promote Davao than now. And you know why we are looking at foreign delegates to participate? We can take pride in the fastest growing economy in Asia Pacific,” said Milan.
With the theme, “Davao: The Gateway to a World of Infinite Investments,” the event aims to bring together potential buyers and investors as well as industry leaders and government experts to discuss Davao and Mindanao business opportunities. Business matching is also expected to take place during the three-day event.
For agriculture, Milan said they are looking into inviting large corporate agriculture investors especially of palm oil, rubber, cacao, and coffee to also provide job opportunities for upland people.
As for the infrastructure, Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Secretary Datu Abdul Khayr Alonto will also be coming to speak about the Mindanao Railway Project.
“This is one big infrastructure project that I would say has long been delayed already. We need mass transport and the railway is really the answer to this,” said Milan.
Tria said with huge investment conferences such as this, they hope to help reduce the poverty rate of the Philippines by 15 percent by providing employment through the businesses coming in the region.
This year’s Icon, which is organized by DCCCII, will be held at SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang on July 20 to 22 and is expected to cater to around 700 participants including both local and domestic delegates.