Davao seen as emerging investment hotspot in PH, ASEAN
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Davao ICON 2021 virtual kick-off event showcases the region’s global competitiveness
The Davao region shows that it is “Strong today, stronger tomorrow” as the 6th Davao Investment Conference (Davao ICon 2021) kicked off with a virtual launch last Wednesday, August 18, 2021. The event showcased the region’s innovations in learning, real estate, tourism, and agri-business, positioning it as an investment partner for industry leaders in and outside the country. Plans for city designs will have Davao soon join top global livable, sustainable cities like Copenhagen, New York, Hong Kong, Toronto, and Vienna, where people enjoy great urban mobility and walkability while experiencing many amazing cultural and socio-economic benefits, more efficient mass transportation, and greener sustainable communities.
The event highlighted the region’s abundance of workforce talents, infrastructures, the rise of local business tycoons, innovations in technology, and improvements in the agri-business sector. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio highlighted the region’s vast opportunities for growth and development in the aforementioned industries, saying, “We will need these economic pillars as we continue to move forward and cement the region’s role in the Philippines and in the ASEAN community. Let us continue to work together so that the Davao region which is strong today, emerges stronger tomorrow.”
“Davao has become ripe for many types of investments and despite the pandemic, Davao Region posted a 7.6% contraction, beating the national average which was a 9.6% contraction. During the pandemic, industries continue to thrive and are still operating. It has been considered as the Cacao Capital of the Country and recognized as the Food Basket of the Philippines.” He added, “Investing in Davao can take us to the future. The only way we can get to showcase investment opportunity is to focus on the whole Davao region,” said Davao ICon 2021 Chairman Ricardo Lagdameo.
Digital Pilipinas Convenor and GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications, Inc. Co-Founder Amor Maclang described the part she sees Davao playing in the future, “This isn’t about what Davao is going to do in 2022, but about the role, it’s going to make in the country and in the region. This is about the vision of Davao in relation to the Philippines, in relation to ASEAN, and hopefully, in relation to the rest of the world.”
