300 Aspac chambers’ reps to attend Cebu meet

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry is already expecting at least 300 participants for the 27th Annual Conference of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) on March 14 to 15  at Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City.

In an interview yesterday, CCCI president Prudencio Gesta said that they were expecting a good number of leading businessmen and government officials from the Asia-Pacific region to attend the conference.

first time

This is the first time that the conference will be held in Cebu City.

Gesta said this should provide opportunities for our businessmen and government partners to also showcase what Cebu could offer in terms of trade partnerships and successful projects that the business organization has done in partnership with the local government.

theme

“The theme for next year’s Conference will be ‘Asia Pacific: Catalyst to Global Recovery’. Delegates will discuss how businessmen in the region can work closely together—and in cooperation with government—to sustain economic development, grasp common opportunities, and manage shared risks and problems amid current uncertainties in the world market, while playing a substantial, constructive and catalytic role in global economic growth,” Gesta said.

According to Gesta they invited experts who would talk about relevant issues in the global economy that would impact on the individual economy of each participating countries.

Topics include The Euro Debt Crisis and Its Implications for Asian Business, Sustainable Energy Resources and Food Security, The Impact of Bilateral Agreements on Regional Trade and Investments, and The Role of Women and Youth in Economic Development.

breakout sessions

“On the first day of the two-day conference, most sessions are for breakout sessions which we have organized based on specific sectors of interest to members that includes sessions on textiles and garments; tourism; chemicals; food and agriculture, water, energy and environment; contracting and construction, SME development; women entrepreneurship and youth entrepreneurship.”

Gesta said.

He said that the sessions would focus on trends and developments, problems and prospects for growth in the sectors.

speakers

CCCI has also invited speakers from both the government and private sectors  who will talk about the economic environment, trade and investment policies, foreign direct investment trends, investment incentives, cost structures, infrastructure and utilities, and prospects and challenges for the economic growth and development of the Philippines in general and Cebu.

Gesta said next year’s gathering will help businessmen from the various countries in the region strengthen their ties more as they had also set aside discussions on how to further strengthen partnerships among the chambers.

“During the conference, we are hoping that discussions will not only tackle commercial interest but also become a venue for the confederation to discuss more on how we all can be effective in our efforts to help shape policies that affect the Asia-Pacific region’s development,” said Gesta.

CACCI

CACCI is a regional grouping of national chambers of commerce and industry, business associations and business enterprises in Asia and the Western

Pacific.

It is a non-governmental organization serving as a forum for promoting the vital role of businessmen in the region, increasing regional business interaction, and enhancing regional economic growth.

It was established in 1966 and since then, has grown into a network of national chambers of commerce from 27 Asia-Pacific

countries.