By Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY –The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (ZSPCCCIFI) have invited businessmen, local chief executives, legislators, and other sectors of society to join the 4th Pagadian City Business Week and Small Medium Enterprise (SME) week starting July 6-10.
DTI-Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Director Ma. Socorro Atay said in a recent press conference held at the DTI conference room that businessmen, local chief executives (LCEs), muncipal councilors, Municipal
Enterprise Economic and Development Officers (MEEDOs), local enterprise and promotion officers, media and other sectors of society are encouraged to join the weeklong activities for them to be apprised on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Integration by 2015.
“We are gearing up towards Asean economic integration,” Atay declared. “Our country is aiming to compete with other Asean countries in the free flow of goods, services, and finances by 2015. That is why we need to hasten our preparation.”
The ASEAN economic integration is the full realization of an ASEAN Economic Community in which the region will be transformed “into a single market and production base, a highly competitive region, a region of equitable economic development, and a region fully integrated into the global economy.”
Philippines is now preparing to be integrated in the Asean economy along with Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
In a forum to be conducted, Atay said, the topic on Asean integration will be thoroughly discussed to equip businessmen the knowledge for them to be able compete themselves with other businessmen in the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries.
Meanwhile, ZSPCCCFI President MerlouQuisumbing said the activities lined up for the celebration include a city walk and dawn prayer around the city strees on July 6, opening ceremony and SME week sale on July 7, July 8, Barangay Livelihood Entrepreneurship Seminar and Simple Bookeeping Seminar at Tiguma
Barangay Hall on July 8, business forum on Asean integration, business continuing planning for MSME, and getting ready for the Asean Economic Community for LGUs at Guillermo Hotel on July 9, agri-aquaculture forum on July 10, and business night on July 11.
Quisumbing said the celebration is mandated by Republic Act No. 9501, also known as an act to promote entrepreneurship by strengtehing development and assistance programs to micro, small and medium scale enterpises.
This year’s business week celebration carries the theme, “Strengthening Competitiveness and Sustainability of SMEs,” while the SME week has for its theme, “Cooperation, Integration, Progress and Transformation.”
