NEARLY 100 foreign delegates from different countries have confirmed their attendance to the 4th Davao Investment Conference (Icon) on July 21 to 22 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier.
“So far we have a close to a hundred already and these are coming from Japan and we have a big delegation also coming from Indonesia. We have delegates from Malaysia, China, and other European countries as well. We take pride that this is the first international Davao Icon that we will be having,” said DCCCII trustee and 2017 Icon Chairman Arturo Milan.
On his part, 2017 Icon Program Committee Chairperson John Tria said the regular visit of British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) Executive Chair Chris Nelson in Davao City over the past six months only proves the great foreign trade potential of Davao Region as a whole.
“The message he is trying to tell all of us is the Davao Region is a prime area for their own investment not just because of the business-friendly atmosphere, but more importantly, the Davao Region is a market for many of the products from Europe,” said Tria adding that Nelson will also deliver his message of support during the Davao Icon.
It was earlier reported that British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad said they see the potential of Mindanao in exporting agricultural products to United Kingdom.
Tria also said, the fact that Davao Region is larger than a number of European countries in terms of land area and population, the opportunity for trade is really high.
“The more possible investors or partners come in, our local business people can have access to a wide array of possible partnerships. Of course the more people offer, they get a better price and quality. Dabawenyo businessmen can really choose for a certain investment they can partner with. And that’s very good for all of us,” said Tria.
He also added that if in the past the Philippines is the one coming after the investors, now the situation had been shifted as more and more foreign investors had taken interest of the Philippines.
