The 46th Philippine Business Conference and Expo, the country's largest annual business gathering, happening on October 7-8, will carry the theme innovation@ph. Organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, this year PBC will highlight the call for businesses to innovate, which has become even more pronounced now that the world faces an unprecedented health crisis due COVID-19 pandemic. For this year’s PBC, PCCI President Amb. Benedicto V. Yujuico said that based on there theme “Innovation@ph”, they would like to provide a roadmap for businesses to effectively navigate uncharted territories and to chart a more sustainable and secure future for the country. It will be the first PBC to be conducted virtually. The PBC&E serves as a venue for policymakers, business leaders, diplomats, academe, and MSMEs to meet and discuss issues and come up with policy recommendations that would help create business environment that is sustainable and resilient. As a tradition, the PBC formulates business recommendations for Malacanang to address. Yujuico underscored the importance for companies to adapt innovation as their core strategy to ensure business sustainability and resiliency especially in time of crisis. “When I assumed the position as president of PCCI, I have placed innovation as the core of my agenda and work program. This has proven to be relevant and timely with everything that is happening now,” he said, adding that the disruptions brought by the pandemic are forcing businesses to find ways and apply innovative approaches and to survive and sustain operations. “I am happy that our members are really trying to stay in business and showing their fighting spirit to help our economy recover and move forward,” Yujuico added. Leading the list of confirmed speakers are former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo; Vice President Leni Robredo; Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Department of Finance; Secretary Fortunato dela Pena, Department of Science and Technology (DOST); Josephine Gotianun Yap, Filinvest Development Corp.; Minette Navarrete, Kickstart Ventures; Jojo Malolos, JG Digital Equity Ventures; Ellen Joyce Suficiencia, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; Lito Villanueva, Fintech Alliance; Bobby Castro, Palawan Express; Undersecretary Rowena Guevarra, DOST; Rachel Jarosh, ENACTUS; and, Joey Gurango, Servio Small Business. This year’s 46th PBC&E Chair is Samgyeopmasarap Founder, Engr. Enunina V. Mangio. The conference will be livestreamed via zoom on PCCI’s official Facebook page @pcciofficial. Registration is free.