Global plane, train builder chooses Cebu

Bombardier Transportation, the global giant that builds planes and trains, has chosen to open its finance center in Cebu, the progressive resort city in central Philippines, to service the multinational company’s international operations.

Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia and acting Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama led local officials, representatives from the business community, Cebu-based diplomats, and members of the Cebu media in gracing the grand inauguration of the Bombardier Finance Center at the TGU building in Cebu City’s upscale Asiatown IT Park on April 27, 2009.

The search began in August 2008 months after top Bombardier officials mandated the formation of a finance shared service center to reduce cost and increase the quality of financial information.

A team scouted several countries in Europe and Asia. They considered, deliberated and evaluated various qualified places. And Cebu stood out as the best place to combine work and leisure.

“Best tourist attractions, presence of people with good English skills, cost-efficiency and political stability are some of the major factors that led the team to choose the Queen City of the South to be Bombardier’ Transportation’s Global finance service center,” said Kennerth Lundgren, head of the financial services project, change management, ERP and Process Improvement.

An initial 25 Filipinos are now being trained to serve as the finance center staff. Search for competent accountants and finance wizards would continue to complete the planned 150 workforce. After two months of training, they will be brought to the United Kingdom for work shadowing. By October 2009, all of Bombardier’s finance operations will be transferred to Cebu.

Doris Mongaya of PRWorks Inc. pointed out that the Bombardier decision came about even before the onset of the global economic crisis that hit First World countries badly. “This means Cebu has what it takes to compete for the relocation of vital facilities of global giants that now need to streamline operations to increase efficiency.”

PRWorks Inc. is the sister company of the newly-formed Konseptworks that won the event management contract for the grand inauguration of the Bombardier finance center. A result of Mongaya’s partnership with Bong Abela of Concepts and More, the new company focuses on corporate events and marketing for international and national companies looking at the vast market in Cebu and Southern Philippines.

PRWorks Inc., in particular, takes pride in its excellent access to local governments, the local business community, and local media that has made it the favored local partner of Asia’s event and PR giant Teamasia, Globe Telecom, Sanofi-Aventis and SPC Power Corp.

Filed under: Events, News , Business, Cebu, Economy, global crisis, Philippines, planes, Prworks, trains, Visayas

Cebu ranks 8th for investors

By Linette C. Ramos

CEBU CITY — Foreign investment experts have again noticed Cebu City’s potential for business and ranked it as eighth of the Top 10 Asian Cities of the Future, in a list by the Finance Direct Investment (fDi) magazine of the Financial Times Group.

Only two other Philippine cities, Quezon City and Davao City, made it to the top 10, ranking seventh and 10th place, respectively.

Cebu City also ranked fourth in the list of 10 most cost-effective cities, seventh in the best quality of life category and second in development and promotion, next only to Singapore.

Continue reading ‘Cebu ranks 8th for investors’

Filed under: News , Small and Medium Enterprises, Business, Economy, Philippines, Cebu, Commerce, Visayas, Top 10 Asian Cities of the Future, Cebu City

RP renews membership to AFECA

AFTER MORE THAN 10 years of absence, the Philippine’s meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry has revived its participation and membership to the Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Association (AFECA).AFECA is an organization of MICE industry leaders in Asia. It was organized to give Asia a voice in the MICE global industry. The Philippines is a founding-member of AFECA.

“They (AFECA members) looked for us because the Philippines is a founding-member and we were gone. Just this year, we are coming back,” said Marissa Nallana, chairperson of the Philippine Association for Conventions, Exhibit Organizers and Suppliers (PACEO).

Ms. Nallana recently attended the AFECA annual general meeting and the 2007 Asian MICE leaders forum held last September 25-27 in Taipei, Taiwan. She said the country’s revival to AFECA, through PACEO, is a joint effort of the organization and the Department of Tourism.

Filed under: News , AFECA, Business, Cebu, Cebu International Convention Center, CICC, Commerce, conventions, Economy, exhibitions, incentives, meetings, Philippines

Cebu Motorshow Benefits Vis-Min Entrepreneurs

Transport entrepreneurs in the Visayas and Mindanao are among many exhibitors who will benefit from the 8th Motorshow Cebu International at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) on October 16to 21, 2007.

Haydee Kwan, Motorshow Philippines International, Inc. Director, that is spearheading the only event of its kind and magnitude outside Metro Manila, revealed this

Over the years, small and medium-scale transport entrepreneurs in the countryside have survived and grown on their own merit. Now, we want to make sure that their industry and ingenuity will get the attention that they deserve, Kwan said.

Located away from major manufacturers of automotive and motorcycle accessories and parts, provincial Filipino entrepreneurs are known for their ability to produce alternative transport products often made from scrap materials.

In lieu of accessories and parts that are difficult to access in remote areas, these ingenious innovations often amaze even the more established manufacturers of auto and cycle parts, bodies and engines.

The Motorshow Cebu International will provide a good exposure for these small companies who fill a special niche in a rapidly expanding transport market. Throughout the six-day event, meet-and-match possibilities between buyers and sellers are endless, Kwan explained.

Filed under: Case Studies , Auto, Business, Cars, Cebu, Cebu International Convention Center, CICC, Commerce, Economy, Motoring, Motorshow, Philippines, Visayas

Launching a web resource for entrepreneurs in Cebu

The decision to re-launch SME.com.ph in Cebu, in central Philippines, shows PR savvy for Planters Development Bank marketing strategi

sts in reaching out to small and medium entrepreneurs in the Visayas and Mindanao.

The web site provides entrepreneurs with a wealth of resources and other support services online. “SME.com.ph connects you and your business to the world market the quick, easy and affordable way,” says bank officials.

Aiming to reach out to the growing number of SMEs in southern Philippines, Plantersbank demonstrate its commitment to be a relevant player in the development of the countryside.

Located some 500 kilometers south of Manila, Cebu is considered an engine of economic growth in the south largely fueled by small and medium enterprises in the export, import, IT and service industries.

Filed under: Case Studies , Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, Business, Economy, Philippines, Cebu, Commerce, Plantersbank, Visayas, Mindanao

Naga: At the Crossroads

The following speech was delivered by Naga Mayor Valdemar Chiong during the inauguration of the country’s first ever SME Industrial Park:

Naga: At the Crossroads

For years, Enan – my brother the late mayor Ferdinand Chiong – and I dreamed of a progressive and sustainable industrial city of Naga.

Maybe Enan thought he would be more effective up there. Everything seems to be falling in place.

Right after my election as mayor – I based the successful campaign on the 15-point strategic platform that Naganhons now refer to as Vision and Leadership 2020 or VAL 2020 – and I immediately proceeded to Manila to push hard for the first priority as mayor-elect: that of making Naga a city.

With the enthusiasm Naganhons expressed in welcoming the “photo-finish” Senate approval, come the plebiscite this August, I am looking forward to a huge turnout and an overwhelming YES.

Today, July 11, 2007, we are officially opening the country’s first SME Industrial Park here in Naga.

Filed under: Views , , Cebu, Commerce, Economy, Naga, Naga Citihood, Philippines, Small and Medium Enterprises, SME Industrial Park, SMEs, VAL 2020, Visayas, Vision and Leadership 2020

SME Industrial Park Launching Photo Documentation

Filed under: Events , Business, Cebu, Commerce, Economy, Naga, Philippines, Plantersbank, Small and Medium Enterprises, SME Industrial Park, SMEs, Visayas

SME Industrial Park

Plantersbank has, in effect, observed the principle “Act local, think global” when it contracted PRworks Inc. as its event and public relations partner in the unveiling of the 40-hectare SME Industrial Park at the 120-hectare Naga Township in Cantao-an, Naga town on July 11, 2007.

Prworks Inc. is more than an event organizer. As a public relations firm, it has close access to the local Cebu media as well as the local government leadership under Naga Mayor Valdemar Chiong. (Refer to our work for Salcon Power Corp., which included close coordination with the local government unit).

Filed under: Case Studies , Business, Cebu, Commerce, Economy, Naga, Philippines, Plantersbank, Prworks Inc, Small and Medium Enterprises, SME Industrial Park, SMEs, Visayas