Elite lineup in think tank of Cebu Business Club

Driven by the challenge hurled at them to take the lead in pushing for more economic activities, the newly formed Cebu Business Club (CBC) is forming a “Think Tank” composed of respected Cebu businessmen and local government units (LGUs).

CBC president Dondi Joseph announced yesterday that the group’s first activity is to hold a visioning and strategic planning forum that will be led by good governance advocate and economist Jesus Estanislao.

“The primary objective of the forum would be to establish an implementable strategic plans that will make Cebu the most competitive and respective province in the Philippines,” Joseph said.

According to Joseph the list of “respected businessmen” that will be actively involved in the “Think Tank” group will be finalized in the middle of this month.

On the other hand, while Estanislao recommended the pushing of Cebu’s plan to become an entire economic zone province, CBC is also inclined to collaborate with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) to pursue this plan.

Making Cebu province as an economic zone is one of the flagship projects initiated by the CCCI starting this year, in the leadership of its new president Francis O. Monera.

The Cebu province-wide economic zone project will have a sectoral presentation this month with stakeholders to strengthen the probability of the project.

Cebu economic zone study group chairman Gerry Sta. Ana earlier said representatives from different sectors in the society will be consulted to find out what they think of the project.

“We have to talk with stakeholders like the local government units [LGUs], civic groups, and others, regarding the project,” Sta. Ana said in an interview.

Joseph said CBC may collaborate with CCCI in this project saying making Cebu province as an economic zone will be one of the province’s competitive edges if pursued.

The proclamation of Cebu as an EcoZone is envisioned to encourage the influx of more investments into the Province by building up necessary capabilities creating an enabling environment and reducing the cost of doing business in the area.

Although, this has not been done in the Philippines, the Cebu private sector, through CCCI believes that this concept can be started in the Philippines, but a comprehensive and extensive study must be done first in order to back up this ambitious plan.

The German Technical Cooperation or GTZ extended its support with budget allocation of 10,000 to 20,000 Euro or roughly P600 thousand to P1.2 million for the study