NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Despite being dislodged from last year’s third spot, Davao business players are optimistic that the city, being the fourth most competitive in the country, will make it more attractive to investors.

“Somehow it is now competing with energy drinks. The coconut water is actually being exported in U.S. and Europe, the biggest markets.” executive director of Cocolink Migdonio C. Clamor

For Dabawenyo businessmen, the recent recognition of Davao city as one of the competitive cities in the country is a good business opportunity to target future markets.

“Para sa akoa dako ni na opportunity para mas maila ang city pati pud ang mga businesses nga naa diraa (For me this is a big opportunity for the city to be known and the businesses which are here),” Manuel Nipon, a restaurant owner, said during an interview on Tuesday, August 21, 2018.

Davao City ranked fourth as one of the most competitive cities in the country based from Cities and Municipalities and Competitive Index (CMCI) of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“Kini siya good na siya kay makahimo ni siya ug good impression pud nga maski adunay martial law nga gakahitabo, competitive gihapon ang Davao (This is good because this would create a good impression even if the martial law is still implemented),” furniture business owner Marie Sandawan said in an interview.

Though Davao city fell a notch lower from the third spot last year, the city was also recognized for “economic dynamism” among the highly urbanized cities ranking third place.

In 2017, two cities from Mindanao were included in the list. These were Cagayan de Oro City and Davao City.

Davao City Investment and Promotions Center head Lemeul Ortonio said the recognition is a proof of how well the government and private sectors in the city work together in order to support economic development in the city. It is a timely celebration with the Kadayawan Festival as another proof of showing the city's resiliency.

The CMCI measures the local government units based on the following factors: economic dynamism where expansion of businesses and industries are considered as well as how this translates to generating jobs; infrastructure, or the creation of physical building block in providing goods and services in the city; resiliency where the city is judged through the city's management of productivity amidst uncontrollable circumstances the city faces; and government efficiency where the quality of government support and services are assessed./GAD