Japanese investors explore biz opportunities in Davao

Around 150 representatives from different Japanese companies have explored investment opportunities in Davao City, particularly in the areas of manufacturing, agri-tourism and environment-related projects.

The potential investors attended the 3-day Davao Japanese Community’s 100th Anniversary Business Seminar to look for possible business ventures in the city.

April Marie Dayap, the head of the Davao City Investment and Promotion Center (DCIPC), said the participants of the 3-day business seminar which concluded on Friday, at the Marco Polo Hotel, inquired about the areas where they can invest.

“Among those investors who expressed their interest in the city are into the manufacturing industry, agri-tourism, waste composting companies, and tourism. We further want to bring them here and hopefully develop investment here,” she said.

Dayap said the event was a big opportunity for the city to expand its foreign investment portfolio and generate more employment for Dabawenyos.

“I believe this is a big help in generating work and economic development in the city once the investments materialized,” she said.

Japanese Consul General Yoshiaki Miwa said that manufacturing will be the next big thing in Davao City, especially that several Japanese manufacturing firms are interested to venture in the city.

Miwa said that as the economy of the city grows, Japanese investors also want to develop a company to company relationship with local businesses.

“Manufacturing industry has a very wide range. We can start at a level that will match the level of industry in the city. We just have to create a strategy. I understand that the DCIPC and DCCCII know about this and are thinking about ways to accommodate the manufacturing sector,” he said.

On the part of the business sector, Davao City Chamber of Commerce Industry Inc. (DCCCII) President Arturo Milan said the local firms have been trying to look for ways to accommodate the manufacturing industries and eventually create an industrial park in the city.

“We have to have an industrial component here because it will not just help the economic development of the city but the farmers as well. We are trying to push for the creation of an industrial park so that we can have a venue for processing and investors to come,” he said.

Milan said that once the city acquires a space for the establishment of the industrial park, investors and even technologies will eventually come in. CIO