Launching of the 15th Minbizcon
text DARWIN T. WEE

The Zamboanga Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Foundation Inc. (ZCCFI) and the Mindanao Business Council(MBC) will formally launch the 15th Mindanao Business Conference(Minbizcon) and its official logo on April 18 at the Garden OrchidHotel Executive Hall this city.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (PCCI) Regional Governor for Western Mindanao Teresita Uy Sebastian said the city being the official host of the confab would give the city's business and local leaders an opportunity to promote Zamboanga as an emerging economic hub in Mindanao.

Ms. Sebastian said the unveiling of the logo would formally give this year's Minbizcon its unique identity. The official logo was designed and conceptualized by the Department of Science and Technology regional office.

The event, which will start at 10:00 A.M., will also serve to launch the official websites of the 15th Minbizcon. Ms. Sebastian said the website is another tool to attract more international delegates to attend the confabs.

She said key leaders from the Minbizcon's major sponsors would attend the launching event, namely Mindanao Economic Development Council(MEDCO), USAID's Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM), Globe Telecommunication, local government of Zamboanga city, PCCI, and MBC. Romeo Serra, who is currently the chairman of the MBC and the new BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippine- East ASEAN GrowthArea) Business Council (BEBC) chairman, will also grace the event.

Participating government agencies in the region are also expected to attend the launching.The 2006 Minbizcon carries the theme of "Mindanao: The Best of The Philippines."

It will serve as an occasion to review and examine programs that will help boost the local products especially the huge agricultural sector of Mindanao and the critical role of the small and medium enterprises (SME) in countryside development.

The 15th Minbizcon, which will be on August 31 to September 2, will include a balanced program of technical plenary sessions, business matching sessions, sports activities, an exhibit of products and services and a fellowship program to entertain delegates and guests.

The Minbizcon is an annual conference of all businessmen in the island of Mindanao and had been held in different regions of the island since1992. The confab serves as the venue where businessmen of Mindanao craft specific responses to key issues concerning business in the region.

Among are infrastructure, energy, mining, shipping, human resource and skills development and information and communication technology (ICT).

Ms. Sebastian said major issues will be identified and discussed that are perceived to be critical in achieving the desired socio-economic development and political stability in Mindanao.

The confab aims at to promote Mindanao as an investment haven and to serve as venue for the enactment of resolutions that would address the concerns and problems of Mindanao businessmen. (ZS)