Investment code creation: Mandaue chamber calls for investor participation

CEBU, Philippines - As the Mandaue Business Month (MBM 2013) kicks off next month, foreign and local investors are welcome to participate in the drafting of the Mandaue City Investment Code, which will be tackled during the “Mandaue Investment Forum.”

Chaired by San Miguel Corporation executive Romelinda “Girlie” Cruz-Garces, this year’s MBM themed “Engaging Change; Be Fit. Be Connected. Be Ahead,” will particularly highlight the finalization of the creation of the Mandaue Investment Code, in close coordination with the Mandaue City local government.

An initial draft of the Mandaue Investment Code has already been made, but further consultations, not only with the local investment community but also from foreign investment groups, must be made before it can be formalized.

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Philip Tan said that the chamber which represents the Mandaue Investment Board, is going to help the local government unit in perfecting the provisions under the Investment Code, focusing on the importance of inviting the high value manufacturing investments.

Slated on August 29, 2013, the investment forum expects to get insights from local and foreign participants on how Mandaue City can further attract investments, considering its limited area for big-ticket businesses.

Tan said this move aims to push Mandaue City as a premier city in the Philippines by 2016, and attracting high-value manufacturing investments will cement this bid.

MBM 2013, which will officially kick off on August 2, 2013, also aims to revitalize the business strength of Mandaue City as well as to carve its name in the social corporate responsibility (CSR) area.

”MCCI has always wanted to be part of the positive development of the City. We believe that if we in business, exercise our corporate citizenship, our small contributions can propel Mandaue City and our country a notch higher in our bid for global competitiveness,” said Garces.

Garces added that it is on this advocacy that MCCI chose the theme “Engaging Change,” as change is inevitable. “We want to hold it by the horns so to speak, and take charge.”

“We think business should not just ride with change but take part in it. Thus, business has to be fit, connected and ahead,” Garces added.

She said being fit draws to making the physical as well as social well-being of both the corporation and its people a concern. “Thus, in this year’s program, we have included activities that shall promote healthy lifestyle for both enterprise and the entrepreneur.”

Garces said MBM 2013 wants to push a holistic awareness of what to expect “so we will know how to deal with the shifts and prepare to be ahead of them. We have also taken into account the importance of public-private partnership in our pursuit to progress.”

MBM 2013 events also include events like “Trees Brew Life”, Mandaue Anti-Dengue Day, Search for Winners-3, SSS Pensioners Day, Surgical and Dental Mission, MCCI’s Best launching; Men in Business launching, Lose to Win-Grand Finals, among others.

The Mandaue City Government led by City Mayor Jonas Cortez has pledged P2 million to support the event. /JOB (FREEMAN)