1st Phil iCon to gather 600 stakeholders

DAVAO CITY – The first-ever Philippine Investment Conference (Phil iCon) is expected to gather at least 600 industry cluster stakeholders from all over of the country.

Dubbed as “Investing in Priority Industry Clusters for SMEs: A Conference”, the two-day event is slated on June 25 to 26 at SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang Premier here.

The Phil iCon is spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry-Regional Operations and Development Group (DTI-RODG) in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The event which banners the theme “Industry Clustering Towards Inclusive Growth” is aimed at creating awareness on the cluster-based industrial development strategy through the National Industry Cluster Capacity Project (NICCEP), a technical cooperation project of DTI and JICA.

Furthermore, the event is likewise aimed at promoting various promising industries in the Philippines as investment opportunities for existing and would-be investors, particularly for Japanese businessmen.

The focus industry clusters are: milkfish, dairy, coffee, bamboo, tourism, information and communications technology (ICT), health and wellness, and wearables and homestyles for Luzon; gifts, decors, and housewares (GDH), tourism, ICT, and health and wellness for Visayas; and, banana, mango, coconut, seaweeds, wood, mining, tourism, ICT, rubber, poultry, tuna, and palm oil for Mindanao.

“The overarching goal is to spur development and growth in the countryside with infusion of fresh investments and creation of employment opportunities,” said DTI-Davao Regional Director Marizon S. Loreto, who also chairs the Conference Regional Cooperators’ Committee

Loreto added that being a convergence of industry leaders, DTI is very optimistic about generating the most necessary inputs and strategies on how to corner more investments for the country’s three islands.

“We all know that more investments means more job opportunities that’s why we really are working double time to make the conference truly successful,” she said.

For more inquiries about the Phil iCon, interested participants may contact Romeo N. Vasquez at (082) 224-0511 local 304 or the nearest DTI office. (DTI-11/JenMendoza)