Davao City gears up for int'l investment, tourism roadshow

DAVAO CITY -- The city government is gearing up for the upcoming Investment and Tourism Roadshow in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore on September 24 to 29, touted as a venue to promote the investment opportunities and tourism activities of this city to the international market.

Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC) chief Lemuel G. Ortonio said the city’s participation also aims to establish linkage with the Philippine embassies in the two countries and work with their respective trade and tourism attachés in promoting Davao City.

Ortonio said a total of 24 delegates from the City Government of Davao, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Department of Tourism (DOT)-11, and representatives from the private sector will be attending the roadshow.

The Davao delegation will be led by City Administrator Atty. Zuleika Lopez --representing Mayor Inday Sara Duterte -- and Councilors Al Ryan Alejandre and Jimmy Dureza.

Ortonio said the roadshow was organized to also support the existing direct flights that Davao City has with Singapore (via Silk Air) and Kuala Lumpur (via Air Asia).

"Singapore was visited by the City Government (officials) in 2012. This is a follow-through activity," he said.

Ortonio said it will also be an opportunity to learn the halal industry and tourism practices in Kuala Lumpur.

The delegation will also participate in the Philippine Investment Forum in Kuala Lumpur, organized by the Philippine Embassy of Malaysia through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC).

"The forum will focus on Mindanao," he said, adding that meetings with the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia, Jakim Malaysia, Halal Development Corporation, Islamic Tourism Centre, and various Malaysian Tour Operators will also take place.

The Singapore leg will focus on Investment and Tourism Forum through the assistance of PTIC Singapore and the Singapore Business Federation, the Philippine Embassy in Singapore, Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and various tourism organizations. (Digna Banzon & Armando Fenequito/PNA)