Chamber lauds Cebu’s key economic players

CEBU, Philippines -  Key players in Cebu’s business community have been crucial to the province’s economic performance and development, thus it is only appropriate to give recognition to the local investors, businesses and organizations that have helped lead Cebu’s economy to its present status, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Ma. Teresa Chan noted.

“We honor and recognize them for their faith in Cebu and Cebuanos,” Chan said during Friday’s Tribute to Cebu’s Business and Investors of the Cebu Business Month.

“We are grateful for the improved and uplifted lives and self-esteem of the Cebuanos because of the jobs they have created.”

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who graced the event, said the combined participation among the people, private sector and the government is what led Cebu to become one of the country’s successful cities.

Rama told Cebu firms that strengthening relationships are essential to achieving corporate success.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III echoed the same idea, saying that Cebu companies have proven their commitment to the people and that projects that the investors brought to the province have helped a lot in its growth.

Efficient airport

Aside from business process outsourcing industry, tourism is also one of Cebu’s economic growth drivers.

Andrew Acquaah-Harrison, GMR deputy chief executive officer, said that the efficiency of an airport of a place plays a vital role in its tourism development.

“The airport is only the gateway to your destination,” he added, saying that the association of Megawide Construction Corporation and India’s GMR Airports will turn the country’s second busiest airport into the world’s first resort-airport.

“We are here to improve the business of tourism in Cebu and the surrounding places and the rest of the Philippines; and this will generate revenue and be reinvested in skills training of the people,” the GMR executive noted.

He said travelers always want efficiency and friendly staff which the tourism sector really needs.

Moreover, Consul Sabino Dapat, CBM’s tourism and investment promotions chair, emphasized that there is a need to build a highway from Cebu’s north to south area in order for the economic growth to be felt in the countryside.

The chair lauded the BPO sector, one of the emerging industries, for having generated employment to a lot of people.

He also said that Cebu should not be afraid of the integration as its people are very resilient and that the formation of the ASEAN community is not all about competition about it’s more of cooperation.

He further added that the recognized companies “have not only engaged Cebu in the ASEAN region but in the rest of the world as well.”

The firms that the CCCI awarded during the tribute include: Aboitiz Group of Companies, Ayala Group of Companies, Tsuneishi Heavy Industries (Cebu), Inc., Cebu Mitsumi, Inc., Mr. Henry Schumacher, Hotels Resorts & Restaurants Association of Cebu, Japan International  Cooperation Agency, Norwegian Ship Owners Association and Timex Philippines, Inc.

On the other hand, Jaime Jose Y. Aboitiz, president of Aboitiz Power Corporation, said that the integrated economy will drive Cebu’s growth further.

This is definitely a very favorable set-up, Aboitiz said, but business leaders should also realize that Cebu “will be perceived and judged not only in the context of the Philippines but also with the region.”

He also added that the province’s local culture is very rich of hospitable people who are considered as its major asset.

The president also urged businesses to focus in enhancing long-term values for the stakeholders in the business community.