PAGADIAN CITY, Philippines – The Pagadian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (PCCIFI) in cooperation with the local government unit (LGU) here will jointly host the 20th Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) in this city from September 7 to 9 with United States (US) Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas Jr. as the conference keynote speaker.

PCCIFI president Mercedes Lourdes Quisumbing said President Aquino will also be the conference keynote speaker at the closing of the business gathering.

Quisumbing said that the holding of the annual conference aims to give more focus on regional economic and development objectives.

Quisumbing said it also aims to provide the proper venue for showcasing the investment opportunities in the region, and appropriate forum to present issues and concerns confronting the business community.

For his part, Mayor Samuel S. Co said the 20th MinBizCon will be held at the City Commercial Center (C3), with the theme “One Global Mindanao Making Private-Public Partnership Work.”

Co said the theme gives special emphasis on the partnership and synergy between the business community and the local government in achieving development goals in Mindanao.

Traders said the 20th MinBizCon is the largest annual gathering of business and industry leaders, government policy makers, and stakeholders in the region to achieve a common goal for the development of Mindanao.

Co described the conference as a preferred platform to present the Mindanao Business Policy Agenda, a document covering policy issues on economic development requiring government action and private sector commitments.

At the same time, he said the conference will also provide a venue for trade fairs and exhibits showcasing the product champions in the region with the hope of generating local and foreign interest in Mindanao.

Representatives from local chambers of commerce, trade, and industry associations, national and local government officials, and academe are the expected participants of the MinBizCon.

Embassies, Heads of Missions, and other trading partners are also invited, with the intent of sharing best economic development practices.