SOME 600 business leaders are expected to participate in the upcoming Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga) and Indonesia, Malaysia Thailand-Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Business Leaders Conference on October 23 at the SMX Convention Center.
The business conference is one of the two major events during the 2nd BIMP-Eaga and IMT-GT Business Leaders’ Conference and Trade Fair on October 22 to 26.
Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) Executive Director Undersecretary Janet M. Lopoz told reporters on Tuesday that some of the foreign delegates they are expecting will be coming from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Brunei, and China.
The one-day conference will tackle issues that need to be addressed and opportunities that can be taken advantage in the sub-economic regions with the upcoming Asean Integration in 2015.
With the theme of “Realizing the Opportunities on Asean Integration,” the conference will include key sessions on “Asean Economic Community 2015: Transforming Asean Economies,” “Connectivity: Expanding Growth Beyond Borders,” “Harnessing the full Potentials of Agribusiness in the Sub-regions,” and “The Future of Tourism in BIMP-Eaga and IMT-GT.”
“The conference will promote an understanding and appreciation among stakeholders of the role and importance of sub-regional groupings in ensuring that the goals of the AEC are substantially, if not entirely, achieved in 2015,” said Romeo Montenegro, Minda director for investment promotions and public affairs, in an email.
The organizers have invited President Benigno Aquino III but has yet to give his final confirmation.
Other dignitaries who are expected to attend the event include: Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Halal Standard Institute of Thailand director Dr. Pakorn Priyakorn, and Deputy Secretary General of Asean for the Asean Economic Community Dr. Lim Hong Hin, among others.
Lopoz said the conference agreement will likely be stronger ties between the private sector wherein the bigger companies, who are used to operating their companies in an integrated set-up or across countires, can “shepherd” the smaller companies in the Asean integration.
She said the stay of the delegates in Davao City is seen to have positive impacts in the local economy.
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on October 18, 2014.
