Davao Icon opens today

PRRD to attend investment conference

THE 4th Davao Investment Conference (Icon) will open today, July 21 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier with President Rodrigo Duterte confirming attendance.

According to 2017 Davao Icon Chairman and Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) trustee Arturo Milan said they target that this year’s Icon will be grander and bigger than the previous Icon that they held as it will be the first to be attended by the Philippine president.

In earlier press conferences Milan also said they take pride that this year’s Icon will be known as the first international Icon as it will also be attended by a number of international delegates coming from Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, and other European countries.

President Duterte already released his statement of support for the event saying Icon 2017 is a platform for the promotion of infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism industries in the region.

“May this occasion bring together buyers, investors, and experts who will actively engage in discussion of the locality’s business potentials. Let this event empower the organization to continue carrying out its advocacies towards the city’s further prosperity. I trust that you will continue to building strong partnerships that will bring more people and investments in Davao,” read the president’s official statement.

Some of his cabinet secretaries coming are Trade and Industry secretary Ramon Lopez, Agriculture secretary Manny Piñol, Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo, and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III.

As for the private sectors, among those coming are Union Galvasteel Corporation President and CEO Eduardo Sahagun, Air Asia CEO Anthony Fernandez, Phoenix Petroleum President and CEO Dennis Uy, 8990 Housing Development Corporation President and CEO Januario Jesus Atencio, and Nakashin Davao International, Inc. Keisuke Nakao.

Close to 300 delegates and businessmen are expected to participate in the event with around 100 of these foreign delegates.