DCIPC steps up promotion of Davao City as global investment hub

The Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC) is intensifying its marketing campaign of Davao City as a viable agri-business investment hub.

DCIPC Officer-in-Charge April Marie Dayap, during a Davao City Disaster Radio program on Tuesday, said the DCIPC continues to conduct investment promotion roadshows to introduce Davao City to both local and foreign investors and to find the right markets for the city’s local products.

Dayap said virtual roadshows, conducted at the height of the pandemic, introduced the DCIPC to more potential markets.

In 2021, the DCIPC held 12 investment promotion roadshows conducted online via Zoom.

For this year, two virtual roadshows have been conducted with business delegations from India and the USA. There will be two roadshows scheduled for business delegates from Australia and the Middle East. At least three more will be organized for 2022.

Aside from virtual roadshows, the DCIPC is also focusing on the promotion of high-value products, such as durian, to foreign markets, Dayap said.

Dayap said the stable security situation in the city, after having been declared insurgency-free, had significantly improved investor confidence, especially in the agri-business sector.

“Daghan pud mga investors that are looking at kadto na mga areas to put their investments, like, for example, Pacquibato area or kanang Marilog area. So dako gyud kaayo siya og tabang and if that happens na kanang magsunod-sunod na gyud og sulod ang investments diha na area, siyempre maka-provide ta og better job opportunities sa mga ta ug mga lumulupyo dinha (There are many investors that are looking at these areas to put their investments, for example, the Pacquibato or Marilog areas. So it (insurgency-free situation) really helped, and if it happens that investments start to really pour into those areas, of course, we will be able to provide better job opportunities for residents there),” Dayap said.

Some foreign entities have expressed interest in developing areas in the Pacquibato district for corn plantation and processing facilities, Dayap said.

A 25-hectare durian plantation in the area is also being proposed a Singaporean investor. The district was declared insurgency-free in February 2019.

Dayap added that the easing of travel restrictions and the recovery of the tourism industry will renew foreign interest, prompting the need for a stronger promotional strategy to attract more investors.

“Kailangan i-intensify ang promotion, i-intensify pud ang education, information drive na ingani ang situation sa Davao City in terms of stability sa peace and order, in terms of political stability, also in terms of stability sa policies nato (We eed to intensify the promotion, education and information drive detailing the situation in Davao City in terms of stability in peace and order, in terms of political stability and our polices),” she said. CIO