‘CONNECTING IDEAS’ IN VABC NEXT MONTH

Opportunities, as well as challenges, in connectivity and infrastructure will be explored by a speakers’ lineup that includes Ambassador Gregory Slayton, a member of the board of advisers at Google

Business chambers in the Visayas will convene this year to tackle issues and solutions that they believe will bring about more inclusive growth in the region.

At least 400 participants from 23 business chambers will meet during the Visayas Area Business Conference (VABC) on Sept. 28 to 29 in the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is this year’s host chamber, with Dr. Edward Gaisano as the VABC 2017 chair.

Gaisano, in a press conference last Friday, said the conference will center on the theme “Connecting ideas, connecting economies” to emphasize the need for connectivity in both the digital and the infrastructure and tech- nology spaces.

Gaisano, who is also a past president of CCCI, said that the organizers have identified speakers who will help participants explore Cebu’s potential in all aspects, on the back of the infrastructure-connectivity programs lined up under the Duterte administration.

As various infrastructure and development projects are being proposed for the region, change and opportunity are around the corner, the organizers said.

CCCI President Melanie Ng said the VABC 2017 aims to connect and unite all local chambers not only in identifying pressing concerns but, more importantly, in working toward finding solutions and implementing them.

CCCI has invited China’s Am- bassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua as guest of honor and speaker at the conference.

Other invited speakers are Ambassador Gregory Slayton, a member of the board of advisers at Google; Chester Cokaliong, founder and CEO of Cokaliong Shipping Lines; Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri; Cecilio Pedro, CEO and president of Lamoiyan Corp.; Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao, Joey Concepcion III and Dr. Victoria Belo.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) vice-president for the Visayas Joe Ng said that whatever concerns come up during the conference will be collated and submitted to the PCCI. After that, the report will be forwarded to the Office of the President.