Chamber, city commit to boosting Cebu's edge

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Cebu City government have sealed a partnership deal that aims to elevate Cebu’s competitiveness.

CCCI president Virgilio Espeleta said that the private sector is formalizing its support to the local government unit in Cebu City to push reforms together.

“To drive Cebu’s competitiveness to the next level, it is important that both the public and the private sector work together to push for reforms to reboot and enable a vibrant business environment,” Espeleta said.

The collaboration was exemplified during the chamber’s general membership meeting last night graced by Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella.

 “From the day then mayor-elect Edgardo Labella sat in the CCCI BOT Meeting last June 27, 2019, and after many consultations and meetings in the past months, we are happy that the most business-friendly mayor listened and heeded the call of the business community on many of our economic agenda,” said Espeleta.

Under the collaboration, a flagship public-private partnership project will be created, the one-stop trade and investment center for businesses and investors interested to locate and invest in the Cebu City and Cebu province–the Cebu Investment Development Concierge Center (CIDCC).

Labella, in an earlier interview, said his office will be appointing a CCCI member to head the center. He is also eyeing an office space within the chamber building.

Espeleta admitted Cebu’s difficulty to accommodate foreign trade missions and investment expeditions, thus the city is “badly needing” an investment concierge.  JMD