2008: Banner year for Mandaue Chamber

After being hailed as the “Most Outstanding Chamber” in the Visayas for 2008 by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce (MCCI) looks forward to intensifying their organization to become a stronger force in Cebu’s business community.

In a recent press conference, MCCI officers said that this year has been a banner year for their organization as they were able to roll out projects and activities that brought huge impact to the business sector.

The recent award bagged by MCCI was given during the 34th Philippine Business Conference and Expo held at the Manila Hotel last October 22 presented by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Eric Ng Mendoza, MCCI president said that the award was won by their Chamber as they were able to carry out commendable efforts in accelerating business growth in the community.

They were also able to demonstrate leadership and dynamism in initiating strong advocacy programs, establishing good working relationship with government, increase membership base and effective delivery of services.

Aside from winning this year’s “Most Outstanding Chamber” award against 16 other chambers in the Visayas, MCCI also successfully hosted this year’s 17th Visayas Area Business Conference last August.

This coming week, MCCI members will hold strategic planning sessions in Dalaguete to discuss and address issues that will enable them to develop a better Chamber, enhance membership participation and to generate more members, said Mendoza.

MCCI is currently active in exploratory missions in other countries and last month, some of their members have gone in three successful trade missions in Russia, Taiwan, and in Kota Kinabalu in Sabah.

Mendoza said that their trade missions were in lined with their aim to develop partnerships in the global field and establish new markets for their products and services.

In the height of the current global economic crises, Mendoza said that most of their membership are badly affected especially export companies who are reliant with the strengths of foreign economies badly hit by the meltdown.

But he said that they still remain optimistic especially with the recent election results which favoured Barack Obama for the US presidency, which served as a symbol of hope and inspiration not only to American voters but even to Filipino businessmen like them who do business with America.

“The current crises is an impact of the result of bad financial systems but there is more optimism with current results of US elections and it inspired people that there is after all hope. The Philippines is now globally attached and for as long as we are competitive as a trade destination, there should be no apprehensions in dealing with foreign trading,” he said.

MCCI was started in 1965 by a handful of businessmen with common goal of advancing their interests and Mandaue City’s business community.

Since its rebirth in 2004, MCCI now serves a growing membership of 142 companies with its revitalized program to fast track the advancement of Mandaue City as a major industrial center.

According to MCCI’s business plan for the year 2007 to 2009, major programs will be geared towards expanding its membership base and increasing its services to its members.