Investors start PPP projects with Cebu industries

CEBU, Philippines - Describing Cebu as one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, a national exhibition and event organizer observed potential investors who are eyeing the province as an opportunity for growth to initiate public-private partnership projects in various industries.

Global-Link MP Events International, Inc. (GLMP) organized the two on going trade exhibits at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, the 17th Manufacturing Technology Cebu and the PackprintPlas Cebu. The event will run from July 25 to 27.

GLMP chief executive officer Patrick Lawrence Tan said the market is continuously growing and the products offered are constantly changing.

He said that investors come up with innovation and high-technology solutions for various industries to stay ahead of the game.

For instance, he cited that the machinery industry is booming now that everybody is going digital while the printing sector is working out on strategies to minimize wastage.

To introduce it to Cebu, Tan said that investors initiate public-private partnership projects with the government to further the growth of the city.

He further cited that the mega trade event will serve as a one-stop shop for companies to discover new markets, learn the latest technologies and create better brand awareness.

He added that it is high time to showcase the industries that make up the central trading hub for Visayas and the major contributor to the region’s vibrant economic growth.

Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgar Labella said in a statement that events like the Manufacturing Technology Cebu and Packprint Plas Cebu serve as great opportunities for business-minded individuals to learn more about the latest technologies and emerging trends that will help in forming globally-competitive business leaders and companies in the country.

“We are grateful that through the years, Cebu City has always been chosen to be the venue for trade events as huge as the Manufacturing Technology Cebu and PackPrintPlas Cebu. This is why we, in the Cebu City Government, are truly appreciative of the commitment that each one has shown in pursuing the event,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Tan revealed that they expect to gather 7,000 traders and company decision makers during the mega event which will be participated by 130 exhibitors featuring top industry players in the country.

Last year, the expo was participated by over 120 exhibiting companies occupying 2,650 square meters of exhibition space. It also generated US$ 1.6 million on-site sales with around 6 300 trade visitors and buyers.

“We expect that this year’s exposition will be 20 percent larger than the 2012 event. By next year, we are planning to allot a hall for the travel and tours industry to provide them with a larger venue to showcase the products and services of the growing sector,” he said.

This year’s Manufacturing Technology Cebu is considered to be the largest industrial machinery, technologies and product exhibition in Cebu.  It will incorporate the regional agri-aqua business and equipment exposition, industrial machinery and hardware product exhibition and the water technology exhibition and conference.

The Packprint Plas Cebu 2013 will serve as the biggest convergence of markets and industries as it will integrate expositions from various sectors such as the printing and technology and services, plastics and packaging solutions, business solutions and office automation and food, beverages and hospitality.

This will be simultaneously held with the Great Furniture Sale organized by the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation, Inc. (CFIF) and the 4th Cebu International Travel Expo (CITE) in partnership with the Cebu Association of Tour Operators (CATO) and the Cebu Tours and Travel Association (CTTA).

CFIF’s Great Furniture Sale shall feature Cebu-made export quality furniture and furnishings at factory prices. CITE, on the other hand, will showcase the best deals of tourism industry players such as hotels, airlines and car rentals among others.

Along with CFIF, CATO and CTTA, partner organizations and industry supporters of GLMP that include the Philippine Center for Print Excellence Foundation, Packaging Institute of the Philippines, Philippine Plastics Industry Association, Cebu Bakers Association, Philippines Society of Plumbing Engineers and its newest event partner, the Cebu Organization of Printing Industries (COPI), will take active participation during the trade event. Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento /JOB (FREEMAN)