BUSINESS TALK
By PCCI CHAIRMAN WILLIAM S. CO
Three years ago, in October 2019, prior to the world’s dreaded Covid-19 pandemic, I had the privilege of leading the biggest business conference in the country — the Philippine Business Conference & Expo (PBC&E). It is an annual event organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) that serves as a venue for policymakers, business leaders, diplomats, academe, and MSMEs to meet and discuss issues and come up with policy recommendations to help create a business environment that is sustainable and resilient.
Looking back, I had a fun experience leading the conference. I was amazed at how it turned out; there was an overflow of local and foreign delegates and it concluded with former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte personally accepting the set of policy recommendations that emanated from various consultations with the local chambers and industry. It was indeed a huge success, to say the least. Of course, credit goes to the support of PCCI leadership, the hardworking secretariat, my family, and our generous sponsors and media partners.
This year, after two years of being in global lockdowns and doing it virtually, we are finally back to a full physical for the 48th Philippine Business Conference & Expo (48th PBC&E) happening on Oct. 19-20, 2022 at the Manila Hotel. We are extremely excited to see again our members and partners troop to the historic Manila Hotel, to listen and learn from the country’s economic managers, policymakers, and renowned business executives on how we can move our country towards full economic recovery and growth. After all, the very essence of the PBC&E is to reinforce our commitment to the government that the business sector will always be its partner in achieving its 2040 vision of Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay.
I would like to congratulate in advance, my colleague, Perry Ferrer, who is this year’s conference chairman for what will surely be a successful 48th PBC&E. I believe that there will be an unexpected influx of attendees and seats are already running out with still a huge number of delegates on the waiting list. This is a good problem though and the organizing committee is doing its best to accommodate all registrations.
The conference theme “The Philippines is Ready and Open for Business” aptly describes the readiness of the business community to fully open up, do business, create jobs, and help the economy sustain its growth momentum. We are showing our force where people should be able to feel confident again about going out and doing business.
We expect the conference to present how the new government will build on various economic reform measures initiated by former President Rodrigo Duterte to strengthen the country’s economic gains, solidify its leadership position in the ASEAN region and make a real difference to the economy and the Filipino people.
Following tradition, the PBC&E will open with a keynote address from the country’s vice president and will conclude with the Philippine President. We hope to have both His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte address the approximately 1,500 businessmen in attendance.
This year’s PBC will feature plenary sessions with local and international speakers and a dialogue with the country’s top economic managers who are expected to share their insights on the socio-economic agenda of the new administration. One of the highlights will be the presentation of policy resolutions to the President.
Topping the list of confirmed speakers are secretaries of Finance Benjamin Diokno, Arsenio Balisacan of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Atty. Ivan Uy of the Department of Information, Communications, and Technology (DICT), Jaime Bautista of the Department of Transportation (DoTr), Alfredo Pascual of Trade and Industry (DTI), Christina Garcia-Frasco of the Department of Tourism (DOT), Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Benhur Abalos of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E Huang Xillian.
From the business sector, we will have some of the country’s top business executives, Bert Lina, chairman and president of Air21; Anthony Quidjian, managing director and partner of Boston Consulting Group; Arch. Felino Palafox, Jr. principal architect-urban planner and founder, Palafox Associates; Atty. Dante Bravo, president and COO, Global Ferronickel Holding Inc.; Garry Pimentel, Trans-Pacific Broadband Group International, Edward Du, Negros Occidental Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Robert H. Yap, executive chairman, YCH Group of Singapore.
Truly, this will be the biggest business gathering in the country and we look forward to having an audience with the President himself, His Excellency Ferdinand Marcos at the concluding plenary.
For more information about the 48th PBC&E, please visit our social media accounts: facebook @pcciofficial and website @www.philippinechamber.com