Forum to discuss AEC today

TRADE officials, economists and businessmen are set to converge today at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu to discuss next year’s implementation of a trade agreement that will encourage free flow of goods and services among countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo will lead today’s forum and will be joined by other speakers to discuss the opportunities and challenges that the country may encounter once the Asean Economic Community (AEC) agreement comes into effect. Participants of the forum will have a chance to address their concerns to each speaker during open forums scheduled in the morning and afternoon sessions. Registration for the economic forum starts at 8 a.m. with Sun.Star Chairman Jesus B. Garcia and SGV & Co’s Cirilo P. Noel opening the event at 9 a.m. The event is expected to run until 5 p.m. Limited tickets to the event are still available at the entrance of the Cebu Grand Ballroom of the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu. Domingo and three other speakers will discuss the AEC and its expected effects. Former secretary of Economic Planning Cielito Habito will address the direct implications that the AEC will have on the Philippine economy. Assistant Secretary Ceferino Rodolfo of the Department of Trade and Industry’s International Trade Group will kick off the afternoon session with a talk on the threats and opportunities that the AEC may have on specific local sectors. Ceferino is at the forefront of the Philippine government’s drive to inform businesses of the implementation of the AEC next year. Following Ceferino, Dr. Josef Yap, former president of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, will deliver a talk on how Philippine businesses can take advantage of a region-wide free market. A panel comprised of local local industry leaders will be present to discuss key points of each speech. The panel will include Gordon Alan J. Joseph of the Cebu Metro Development Coordinating Board, Jay Y. Yuvallos, Philippine representative for Small and medium Enterprises in the ASEAN Business Advisory Council; Lito Maderazo, President of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Philip N. Tan, board member of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Jose T. Ng, honorary trade representative of the Royal Thai Government; Cenelyn Manguilimotan, president of the Hotels, Resorts, and Restaurants Association of Cebu; Charles M. Streegan, president and CEO of Pacific Traders and Manufacturing Corp.; and Wilfredo T. Sa-a, Jr., managing director of the Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology. Manuel Pages of Pages Holdings will serve as master of ceremonies. (ARJ