2nd BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT Trade Fair and Business Leaders' Conference

The Function Room 3 at SMX Convention Center was packed with delegates from different Asian countries as they came to discuss opportunities and initiatives for trade, investment and tourism in BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia Philippines – East ASEAN Growth Area) and IMT-GT (Indonesia Malaysia Thailand – Growth Triangle). The conference was opened by Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Datuk Razali Ibrahim (Malaysian Deputy Minister of the Prime Minister Department), and Honorable Luwalhati Antonino (Chairperson, Mindanao Development Authority), with a video message from President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. Mr. Paul Dominguez (Chairperson – Mindanao Regional Committee of Philippine Business for Social Progress) introduced His Excellency Fidel V. Ramos (Former President of the Philippines) as the keynote speaker of the event. The former president of the Philippines liven up the atmosphere of the conference with his humor and ideas for the advancement of the BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT ASEAN Integration.

Ready for a business conference: The Function Room 3 at SMX Convention Center

The greatly charismatic former president of the Philippines, Fidel V. Ramos

A message and presentation of token of appreciation to Mr. Vicente Paterno (Founding Chair, East ASEAN Business Council) was given by Mr. Vicente Lao (Philippine Country Director of BIMP-EAGA Business Council). After which they had an unveiling of the 2^nd BIMP EAGA and IMT-GT Event Sculpture created by Mindanao artist Kublai Milan. 

They opened the doors to the Trade Fair afterwards which was led by Honorable Proceso Alcala (Secretary of the Philippine Department of Agriculture). Booths featuring the products, brands, and services from Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, and the Philippines are on display. The colorful exhibits at the Trade Fair are open to the public until October 26, 2014. So if you want to buy souvenirs or ‘pasalubong’ from different ASEAN countries, drop by the SMX Convention Center this week and check out the different booths. There are also tourism brands from the aforementioned countries which hand out informational materials and services to anyone who wishes to visit these countries.

VIPs and Speakers from ASEAN countries who also graced the event are:

Plenary Session One

Dr. George Manzano (Vice Dean, School of Economics, UAP).

Dr. Lim Hong Hin (Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Economic Community)

Pengiran Haji Yura Kesteria Yusuf (Chairperson of BEBC from Brunei Darussalam)

Mr. Raja Sapta Oktohari (Chairperson of Indonesia Young Entrepreneurs Association)

Plenary Session Two

Dr. Peter Lee U (Dean, School of Economics, UAP)

Mr. James Lynch (Director, Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division Southeast Asia Department, Asian Development Bank)

Mr. Tulus Hutagalung (Assistant to Deputy Minister for Transportation, Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of Indonesia)

Ms. Sheila Lina (President, Dun and Bradstreet Philippines)

Mr. Jasmi Adnan Thien (President and CEO of BIMP-EAGA Submarine and Terrestrial Cable Consortium, Malaysia)

Atty. Juan Lorenzo Tanada (Vice President for Corporate Affairs, Cebu Pacific Air)

Plenary Session Three

Dr. Rolandp Dy (Professor, School of Management and Executive Director Center for Food and Agribusiness UAP)

Mr. Soh Kim Yaw (Vice President, FELDA Global Ventures Plantations, Sdn Bhd, Malaysia)

Mr. Senen Bacani (Chairman, La Frutera Inc., Philippines)

Dr. Pinij Kungvankij (Vice Chairman, Charoen Pokphand Food Philippines Corporation)

Dr. Benny Rachman (Director, Center for Food Distribution and Reserve, Indonesian Agency for Food Security, Ministry of Agriculture.

Dr. Pakorn Priyakorn (Director, The Halal Standard Institute of Thailand, Chulalongkorn University Halal Science Center, Thailand)

Mr. John Clendon (Managing Director, UNIVANICH Palm Oil Public Company Ltd. Thailand)

Ms. Ruth Novales (Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Nestle Philippines Inc.

Plenary Session Four

Mr. Arturo Boncato (Assistant Secretary for Tourism Regulation Coordination and Resource Generation, Sub-national Coordinator for BIMP-EAGA Joint Tourism Development Cluster)

Tan Sri Dato Sri’Dr. Ng Yen Yen (Chairman, Tourism Malaysia)

Ms. Narzalina Lim (Former Secretary of the Philippine Department of Tourism and President of Asia Pacific Projects Inc.)

Ms. Maria Cherry Lyn Rodolfo (President, REID Foundation and Faculty of UAP)

Mr. Fransiskus Xavierus Teguh (Director of Tourism Destination Design, Minstry of Tourism and Creative Economy)

 The day of fruitful discussions was ended by a networking and fellowship night at the Garden Pavilion of Waterfront Insular Hotel. The event was a great opportunity for everyone to strengthen the collaboration of ASEAN countries, specifically the convergence of the BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT. The VIPs and speakers praised the business leaders present who do their best in boosting the economy of Asia’s sub-regions. As His Excellency Fidel Ramos has mentioned the vision for a peaceful and borderless trading, education, and tourism among the BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT, we look forward to more exciting, innovative, and progressive opportunities that will define Asia in the near future. 

For more information and updates on the BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT events, check out:

Official Website of the EAGAIMT Fair 2014

BIMP EAGA IMT GT Fair Facebook Page

Twitter: @eagaimtfair2014

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