Cebu, Yokohama forges joint mission for urban development

MANILA, Philippines - Industry players in the local business community expressed optimism for the province as Cebu City and Yokohama City of Japan ventured in a joint survey mission towards sustainable urban development.

Major stakeholders and business leaders of both cities convened for a business matching session last August 1 at Hotel Elizabeth, Cebu City.

Norihiko Nomura, Director General of the Office of Co-Governance and Creation of the Yokohama Policy Bureau, noted that negotiating with Cebu counterparts is exactly what they need for business-to-business relationships particularly in sustainable development. 

He said that Yokohama is an open city with a number of international relationships worldwide.

Their city, he added, has technologies on waste water treatment, solid waste management, and transportation management that are all essential to make cities more sustainable.

 He further revealed that Yokohama was able to address environmental problems in drainage, sewage and pollution and is still capable of enjoying economic growth at the same time using their technology.

He then said that Yokohama is willing to work with Cebuanos for a long-term involvement on sustainable development.

“We are ready to do what we can do to make this city liveable so that the young generation will be proud of,” Nomura noted.

Department of Trade and Industry Provincial Director Nelia Navarro said that such negotiation serves as the right direction for Cebu and Yokohama as the two cities have their own assets and expertise to share.

She added that with the accumulated experience in urban management and technical know-how scheme of Yokohama, it could make Cebu enhance its concerns such as urban traffic, waste management and environmental protection.

The province, on the other hand, has skilled workers and professionals who could help in the operations of the Japanese city in Cebu, she said.

“Cebu is one of the most dynamic and developed areas in the Philippines. You have indeed come to the right place. We have the right people to match the very impressive list of Yokohama and its business interests,” she continued.

Navarro further commended the benevolence and contribution of Japan in terms of loans, technical operations and employment, citing that as of December 2011, the economic investment of Philippine Economic Zone Authority reached to P30 billion, P2 billion for exports and employed 55,000 Filipinos.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Prudencio Gesta said that the chamber strongly supported the business matching exercise that serves as a solid beginning for a longer relationship of promoting linkages, nationality, business partnership and cooperation with Yokohama delegates and Cebu businessmen.

He added that the main objective of such regular trade missions of nations is meant to empower bilateral and collateral relationships with other countries.

Cebu Business Club President Gordon Alan “Dondi” Joseph said that Cebu has ventured in a merge economic, social, political and environmental breakthroughs with Yokohama.

He noted that such joint mission is not just about business interests but also about the foundation of friendship between the two cities.

Let’s be friends and let’s do business together,” he stated.

Filomeno Lim, president of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that although Cebu has a huge investment opportunity and development, the province still needs the support of Japanese investors to learn from them and eventually improve the business climate.

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry Philip Tan informed the Japanese businessmen on the potential of Mandaue City for investments with its strategic location.

Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Secretary General Motohisa Hino considered the business matching program as an initial stage and landmark of sustainable development for both nations.

The delegates of the Yokohama Business group who participated the joint survey mission are also members of the Yokohama Partnership of Resources and Technologies.

These include private companies from management and engineering consulting firms, water and soil treatment, transportation and city planning, waste disposal and management, automobile, steel manufacturing, telecommunications, and green energy.