CDO showcases Oro’s best to BIMP EAGA senior officials, delegates

by Jorie C. Valcorza

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, October 20 (PIA) -- The Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippine East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Senior Officials and delegates, graced Wednesday (Oct. 19) the opening of the Oro Best Expo 2011 at SM City.

Oro Best Expo was first conceptualized in 2007 by the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry to strengthen the bond among its members. Since then, it continues to draw big number of visitors every year to showcase the opportunities, competitive products, projects, places, service package and skills of the people in the city and in the rest of the region.

It highlights best practices of business leaders and provides venue of meeting new business partners.

Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) Chairperson Luwalhati R. Antonino commends organizers for the strategic conjunction of Oro Best with the BIMP-EAGA trade fair, noting that the event allows both investors and market to see trade innovations that can possibly generate revenues and long term partnership.

She said the initiative helps promote trade and boost linkages as BIMP-EAGA delegates exert efforts to accelerate the utilization of its sub regional cooperation.

Antonino explained that the role of the BIMP is to increase investments by substantial adoption of agreement which facilitate faster movements of goods, people and services through transport links and harmonized rules, regulations and procedures in customs, immigration, quarantine and security.

Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director for Northern Mindanao and sub national coordinator of the BIMP EAGA Joint Tourism Development, Catalino E. Chan III, expressed his continued commitment to BIMP.

“We were the first to produce posters, brochures’ and flyers, that is why, there is no room and reason that we will not pledge our support now, not only for region 10, but for the whole Mindanao,” Chan said.

“As president of Mindanao regional directors of the DOT, I say, we will be coming up with brochure not only for Mindanao, but for BIMP. We are proud to pledge not only our support, but our whole hearted support, not only for Mindanao but for BIMP, because we believe that BIMP EAGA is the real equator Asia in the world,” he added.

Chan was among the executives who meet the senior officials and delegates during the ceremonial ribbon cutting to open Oro Best Expo.

Other local officials present in the opening were director Linda O. Boniao of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); OroChamber President, Antonio D. Uy; OROBEST Expo 2011 Chairman Jeffrey T. Ang; Rodolfo L. Menes, past president of OroChamber; Jaime Rafael U. Paguio immediate past president of OroChamber and Promote CDO Foundation President, Ruben Vegafria. 

OROBEST 2011 showcases the best tourism, agri-trade in Northern Mindanao

by Apipa Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, October 20 (PIA) --- The best agricultural, food and tourism businesses in the Northern Mindanao, including those trade covered by the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) are showcased in the Oro Business Enterprise Services and Trade (OROBEST) Exposition 2011.

Staged by the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (OroChamber), the Expo which is held simultaneously with the BIMP-EAGA Senior Officials and Ministerial Meeting (SOMM) will run from October 19-22, 2011 at the Atrium of SM City, here.

Oro Chamber President Antonio D. Uy said they have been staging the OROBEST Expo to promote trade and commerce in Northern Mindanao considering its vast array of competitive products, abundant natural resources and flourishing tourism which are suitable for promotion and joint ventures with local, national and international entrepreneurs.

OROBEST was conceptualized in 2007 to showcase the opportunities and competitive products, place, service package and skills of people of the region.

Now on its 5th year, the OROBEST has become a venue for businesses to showcase their products and services, and even do business matching, he further said.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey T. Ang, OROBEST Expo 2011 chairperson, said the trade exhibit will not only champion the best products, services and places in the region but it will also highlight the best practices of business leaders to provide information on how to start-up and strengthen business ventures.

The Expo also provides an avenue to strengthen the bond among its members and give value to their membership, he added.

As a side event of the BIMP-EAGA Investment Conference (iCon) and highlight of the city’s Business Month celebration, the opening of the four-day trade fair was graced by the senior officials of the BIMP-EAGA sub-regional cooperation and Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chairperson Luwalhati R. Antonino.

Apart from the booth displays, the trade fair will also feature the Northern Mindanao Dairy Forum where the development of the dairy industry in the region will be discussed by dairy stakeholders, as well as, product sampling, investment matching, and different livelihood learning sessions.