DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 18 Sep) – A 24-man delegation from Davao City will hold a five-day business missions in Malaysia and Singapore from September 24 to 29 to create interest on the investment opportunities and tourism activities in the city, particularly to these markets in the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Lemuel G. Ortonio, head of the Davao City Investment and Promotions Center (DCIPC), told MindaNews on Tuesday that they seek to build linkages with Philippine embassies in Malaysia and Singapore and work with their respective trade and tourism attaches in promoting various opportunities in the city.
He added that they also want to promote the existing two international direct flights at the F.
Bangoy International Airport (formerly Davao International Airport) – Silk Air’s Davao-Singapore and AirAsia’s Davao-Kuala Lumpur flights.
Ortonio added that they are conducting these new missions as the City Government intends to make a follow through of its 2012 business mission in Singapore and learn from best practices of Kuala Lumpur in the halal and tourism industries.
Lawyer Zuleika T. Lopez, the city administrator, will lead the Davao delegation composed of City Councilors Al Ryan Alejandre, Jimmy Dureza, other city government officials, representatives from Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Department of Tourism 11, and private sector.
In Kuala Lumpur, Ortonio said there will be a Philippine Investment Forum to be organized by the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC).
At least four investment promotion agencies, including DCIPC and MinDA, will make a presentation on Mindanao during this forum.
Ortonio said they will also hold meetings with officials from the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia and executives from the Jakim Malaysia, Halal Development Corporation, Islamic Tourism Centre, and various Malaysian tour operators.
In Singapore, he said they will participate in another investment and tourism forum through the assistance of PTIC in Singapore and Singapore Business Federation and meet with officials from the Philippine Embassy in Singapore and executives of the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry and various tourism organizations. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)