The executive chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines described the 4th Davao Investment Conference as ‘a perfect showcase’ for what Mindanao and Davao have to offer.
BCCP Chris Nelson was also full of praises for the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry for organizing the conference.
“On behalf of the Bristish Chamber of Commerce I would like to congratulate the Davao City Chamber for organizing this conference which I think is the perfect showcase for what Mindanao and Davao have to offer,” he said.
British companies make up the largest European investors in the Philippines which increased by 38% in 2015.
“What attracts the chamber is actually seeing Davao for the first time and seeing the potential and other companies that they can do business with,” Nelson said
A total of 21 companies attended the opening of the investment conference at the SMX convention center on Friday, July 21.
Nelson said the conference was also an occasion to get an update from members of the chamber.
The BCCP is a non-profit and independent membership organization whose primary objective is to support the development of its members in businesses and social interests in British and Filipino communities. The company has almost 600 members. The most recent companies that have successfully entered into business in the Philippines are Foster & Freeman (forensic science equipment) and R&B Distillers (whiskey). Other companies include PayWizard (software), Symphony Environmental (plastics), and Yllume (skincare).
On March 2017, the chamber has ventured in a trade & investment mission in Davao City that brought 50 delegates from different sectors such as ICT, Agribusiness, Infrastructural Construction, Energy, real estate and Financial Services.
The mission sought to explore commercial investment opportunities in Mindanao as well as on expanding business networks. As a result of the mission there are two companies that are now doing business here. First is the YLF which is an engineering consultant firm and also a platinum member in BCCP. The second company is the SeaGaurd which is an environmental application.
Since that mission, the BCCP are now in discussion with 15 companies who are interested in doing business in Davao City, to include Anpario – animal health, ARUP – engineering consultancy, AstraZeneca – pharmaceutical, Bold Native Advisors – infrastructure consulting, Energy Island Bell Pirie Ltd. – energy, GSK – pharmaceutical, Gluon – software development and consultancy services, HSBC – banking, JLT Insurance Brokers – insurance / financial services, Party Building Products – construction , Pricewaterhousecoopers – financial and tax advisory services, Pru Life UK – insurance/ financial services, Standard Chartered – banking, SeaGard – marine asset protection , Unilever – consumer goods, Voltcom Group UK – power industry and modular steel bridge..
Nelson emphasized that they are not only here to get business updates but also to build good relationship with the Davao City Chamber, Mindanao Business Development and Davao Investment Promotion Center.
The Martial Law in Mindanao will be put into consideration because security is essential for businesses there are several factors that must be considered such as business opportunities and potential partners, he said.
He said other factors are long term and that hopefully, the conflict will be short term.
