EATOF leaders vow business linkages

CEBU, Philippines - The current economic crisis has not dampened bilateral agreements between three founding members of the East Asian Inter-Regional Tourism regions as they agreed to support each other in trade promotions and building business linkages.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia met separately with Sarawak Minister Datuk Michael Manyin Jawong and Gangwon Gov. Kim Jun Sun, as part of 9th East Asian Inter-Regional Tourism Forum bilateral conference.

In both meetings Garcia invited their business sectors as she presented to them investment and trade opportunities in Cebu.

Along with the governor during the conference were Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Eric Mendoza, One Cebu Expo vice-chairman Enrison Benedicto, MCCI board of directors member Stanley Go and Milagros Espina who represented the academe.

Benedicto, a businessman who is into the furniture industry, presented the trade exhibition of Cebu called “One Cebu” or the Obra Negosyo Expo-Cebu Economic Enterprise Uplifting program. 

The fair, he told the Sarawak minister, will showcase various products made by local manufacturers including home furniture, garments, fashion accessories, furniture and others.

Jawong said that he will immediately convey the message to the Malaysian Business Chamber of Commerce regarding the One Cebu expo as they expressed interest in joining.

Benedicto also invited the Koreans businessmen to take part in the One Cebu expo, which falls every August 7 in line with the celebration of the founding anniversary of the Province of Cebu.

Mendoza also told Korean business groups that Koreans chose Cebu as one of the favorite tourist destinations in the country.

They also presented a 10-minute video presentation that showcased the small enterprises and famous companies displaying their items in the One Cebu expo.

Lee Wook Jee, the Bureau of International Relation director general of Gangwon, assured they will immediately inform their members and find a way to participate in next year’s exposition.

In the field of Tourism, the Tottori Prefecture in Japan and the Sarawak government agreed to the possibility of open flights from Cebu, but they are also considering chartered flights as they are shifting their market to tourists.

According to Jawong, a committee should be set up in order to sustain and focus on the possibility of open flights. He told Cebu delegates that their tourist arrivals increase by 10.5 percent because of the help of the EATOF in promoting tourism.

In response, Garcia said that tourist arrivals in Cebu increased by 14 percent as of January to June this year despite the global economic crisis.

“As we combined ourselves, we need not to stretch our arms as far as Europe and America,” Garcia said.

Garcia might emerge as new leader of EATOF organization considering that Gov. Kim Jun Sun, who founded the organization, is now on his third and last term.

The Korean governor is reportedly being groomed for a national seat.

“You know, I like you, right? You’re one of the governors I love,” Kim told Garcia during the meeting.

As he bid goodbye to Garcia, Kim, through his language interpreter, said he believes that Garcia will be re-elected.

“I believe you will be re-elected in your term and I look forward to your leadership,” Kim said, adding that Garcia “can take the lead” in the organization, which he founded in 2000.

Garcia said that EATOF will be legacy of Kim as it holds so much hope and promise. — Garry B. Lao/BRP (THE FREEMAN)