Security still an issue: DCCCII

“THE attractiveness is there but we need to do a lot… because whether we like it or not, security is still an issue [in Mindanao].”

This is what newlyelected Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) president Arturo Milan shared during the Habi at Kape press conference at Abreeza Ayala Malls yesterday.

Amidst the attention that Mindanao, particularly Davao City, is getting from the investors, still the issue on security remains to be something that should be tackled and given attention to for more investors and visitors to come in.

“Just last week a truck of Sumifru, a Japanese company, was burned. Once this gets out in the international news, it will really create a negative image. So we should not really get tired of really talking about security and try to lessen the fears of investors to come to Mindanao, particularly in Davao,” said Milan. He added that investors’ perception of the specific place plays an important role in the decision-making of investors.

Milan also said that the security concerns of Mindanao should especially be given attention now as the island is very much attractive to foreign investors.

As early as January, businessmen representatives from Hawaii, China, and Taiwan had already expressed interest in visiting Davao City by February and March to look for business opportunities.

Milan assumes that the visit of these foreign delegates may coincide with the Araw ng Dabaw.

Chinese investors are particularly interested in agriculture, energy, tourism, infrastructure, and medical-related investments. Taiwanese, on the other hand, are into agriculture and fisheries investments. Milan added that Hawaiian representatives coming to Davao City are to sign a sisterhood agreement with the city government.