THE year 2010 could be better for Central Visayas after the global financial crisis that did not spare businesses in 2009.

During an economic briefing held recently, National Economic and Development Authority Central Visayas director Marlene Rodriguez expressed positive outlook for the Central Visayas economy in 2010.

Rodriguez noted that the export sector, especially home décor and furniture, have started receiving orders in the second half of 2009 since the economies of its major markets, such as the United States, have started to pick up.

The region?s export earnings fell by 19 percent in the third quarter of 2009, an improvement over the 23-percent drop in the previous months.

Rodriguez also projected growth in the business process outsourcing industry due to the rising demand for workers to handle human resource and other office functions such as accounting and financial services.

She also said that the 2010 elections would have a positive impact on the retail sector while the tourism sector would also experience slight growth when the global tourism industry would start to recover.

?In 2010, stronger economic growth depends on effective fiscal and monetary stimulus, continued support from the private sector, and the sustained recovery in advanced economies and major trading partners,? said Rodriguez.

Getting over the hump

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Samuel Chioson admitted that 2009 was a difficult year, with so many companies, especially in export sector, resorting to retrenchment and even closure.

?2009 was really bad, but we are looking for a better year in 2010,? Chioson said.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 7 regional director Elias Cayanong also agreed that 2010 would be a better year for business.

Cayanong said he had talked to some businessmen just recently and he was told that they have started to get orders abroad, especially in electronics, furniture, gifts toys and housewares, and garments.
?(A) Better market for 2010 is in the making,? Cayanong said.

Retrenched

Cayanong revealed that DOLE 7 has recorded at least 5,000 workers who were retrenched permanently in 2009, most of them in the first quarter of 2009. However, DOLE has also recorded 7,000 newly hired workers as of December 2009.

Some companies like Mitsumi Philippines in Danao City and Lear Corporation at the Mactan Economic Zone (MEZ) already rehired workers who were previously retrenched.

For furniture companies, Cayanong said their products started to pick up and orders were coming in, especially from the US market.

He said the market for gifts, toys and housewares has also improved.

Olympic dreams

The garment sector was also preparing for a big market for the London Olympic.
?They are already gearing toward the London Olympic,? Cayanong said.

Cayanong said he also heard from the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) about investors who were planning to come in by next year and some companies that have expansion plans.
For his part, Chioson said they were also expecting a better year with the election of new leaders in the country and in Cebu.

Chioson said businessmen would be examining the platforms of government of those who are running for local and national posts to find out what their plans are for business.
He said the CCCI would be sponsoring forums with national and local candidates to guide the public on who to vote for in the next elections.