CBM 2012 aims to propel biz to a sustainable future

CEBU, Philippines - As this year’s Cebu Business Month approaches, an official said that the month-long celebration offers a lot in store for industry players from different economic sectors, along with the announcement of “good news” for Cebu.

With the objective of making the chamber the engine for growth and economy of Cebu, Overall Chairman of Cebu Business Month 2012 Committee Mario Panganiban said that the yearly activity of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a worthwhile avenue where everybody can promote and bring in innovative ideas to make businesses more productive and profitable.

He also revealed in advance that CCCI got the hosting rites for the Confederation of Asia Pacific Chamber of Commerce and Industry to be held in Cebu on March or April of 2013.

He added that it will be the first time that a local chamber is hosting an international chamber since normally; it is the national chamber that handles such.

With such privilege, he also said that CCCI is working with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry who in return, expressed its confidence for the local chamber.

With its theme “Soar Higher Cebu, Soaring to New Heights”, Panganiban said that this year’s Cebu Business Month focuses on a simple objective which is to propel Cebu businesses to attain the highest achievement in terms of growth, profitability and long-term sustainability in as many industries possible.

He noted that the month’s key programs concentrate on four industry tracks such as the Cebu information and communications technology and business process outsourcing, tourism, entrepreneurship for micro, small and medium enterprises and growing and emerging industries including the real estate, banking sector, and retail.

With its launching on May 3, he further said that month-long celebration has a total of 18 activities, ending the month of June with the CCCI Grand Chamber of Awards and Fellowship Night at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu.

Panganiban also encouraged the public to take advantage of the various programs offered since such seminars to be conducted are subsidized, resulting to lesser fees compared to regular conferences.

Meanwhile, he noted that Cebu showed a better performance than the national average with 50% or double growth rate this year, thus contributing much to the country’s economic growth.

Although the country’s productivity is lower than Vietnam and higher than Cambodia and Laos, he said that industry players should put aside productivity and focus on bright spots, like Cebu, instead.

“We are one of the best in the country. We should inspire other people and encourage Cebu entrepreneurs to go out in the province and invest so that they may transplant management practices to uplift other neighboring provinces,” Panganiban stated during the Tapok-Tapok sa Sugbo Media Forum at NS Hotel Pensionne House.

Along with the celebration of the Cebu Business Month, he also said that Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama have expressed their support for pushing for more businesses since they see a lot of potential in the Queen City of the South. (THE FREEMAN)