Cebu traders brace for globalization

CEBU CITY – Cebu Business Month (CBM) this year, which runs through the entire month of June, will be focused on the strengthening of the competitive advantage of entrepreneurs in this city and province in the global market place.

A flagship program of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) over the last 19 years, this year’s CBM is themed “Globalized Cebu-Local Solutions for Global Challenges’ for the fast growing industry.”

CBM 2015 Chairman Francis Dy said, “While most businesses are now confident in winning against threats brought about by Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) integration, the push now is how to make local businesses thrive under intense global competition.”

Dy said having globalization in the mindset of businesses in the local level will be reinforced further by holding events focused on globalization and competitiveness issues, specifically among such economy drivers in Cebu as tourism, business process outsourcing (BPO), entrepreneurship and the emerging creative industry.

The month-long CBM will include activities and events that are designed to inspire and stimulate globalization in the mindset of traders, say, the adoption of right corporate practices, among others, Dy said.

In a statement, the CCCI said that the CBM this year will kick off with the Grand Opening Salvo at The Terraces at Ayala Center Cebu on May 29. This will be highlighted with an advocacy fair which will run through until Sunday, May 31.

The first CBM major event will be the Information and Communications Technology and Business Process Management (ICT and BPM) Conference and Expo on June 3 and 4 at Marco Polo Cebu. Conference topics will include prospects and challenges, and trends faced by the industry while the events will provide a venue where local players can meet and network with national players.

On June 5 to 7, those looking to start their own technology-based companies can join the Startup Weekend.

Pushing the development and promotion of Cebu’s promising Creative industry, CBM 2015, will host the 4th Cebu International Documentary Film Festival on June 11, at SM Cinema One.

Also, the 4th Southeast Asian Creative Cities Network Forum is set on June 25 and the Visayan Pop Song Writing Competition will be on June 26 at SM City Cebu.