Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Looming ASEAN integration to be tackled at Minbizcon

DAVAO CITY Aug. 6 (PIA)- The anticipated ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) integration into one single market and its impact on the Mindanao economy will be tackled during the 22nd Mindanao Business Conference (Minbizcon) this August 8-10 at SMX Davao.

To be implemented on 2015, the member-states of ASEAN namely the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar,Cambodia, Laos and Brunei will be merged into a single market economy while still retaining their respective currencies..

Mindanao business leaders and other stakeholders have expressed their worry if the region is well- prepared to be integrated into ASEAN. Conference Director John Gaisano said that the Minbizcon is really focusing on the conference proper as a forum where relevant issues like the integration will be discussed with the national government leaders.
President Benigno Aquino III is slated to attend the opening day of the conference on August 8, he will be joined by different cabinet secretaries.

Gaisano said they are pushing for added infrastructure budget like the provision of farm-to-market roads and irrigation systems plus access to credit and financing windows for agri-businesses which could help prepare the region for the looming single market economy.

He added that the issues presented were taken from consultations conducted between 250 businessmen and stakeholders all across Mindanao. He said this is the first time that Minbizcon will be an issue-directed conference. The theme of the conference “Moving Towards ASEAN Business Integration" mirrors the focus of what is touted as the biggest business gathering in the island region. (PIA/RG Alama)

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