What's On & Expat - Philippines

AS ONE OF THE leading development agencies in Holland operating in more than 80 countries worldwide, PUM Netherlands boasts of a database of more than 4,000 volunteer senior experts ready to help enterprises in Eastern & Southern Europe, Latin America, Middle East, Asia, South and West Africa.

Holland, an economic giant in Europe known for its energetic and competitive economy, earmarks 8 percent of its GNP, or more than four billion euros, in development assistance.

In 2006, the Philippines has achieved close to a 200 percent increase in PUM development projects executed both in the business and government sectors. Fifty percent of the total projects were implemented among the small and medium enterprises and a local government unit in Cebu, a strong manifestation of PUM Netherlands Senior Expert presence and expansion mode in Cebu.

Dutch businessmen, retired executives, technical managers on a mission to local companies and institutions bring with them formidable and extensive experience of sheer entrepreneurship, innovation and technology management in the areas of furniture, mall and department store/retail operation, agriculture, agro-industry and food processing, bakery automation and merchandising, printing, wellness beauty salon and spa, IT and a lot more.

PUM Netherlands senior experts, as requested by SMEs, likewise conduct in-house seminars on specific areas of expertise on woodworking, product design, market linkage, spa management, work ethics, etc., to help improve business operation and efficiency. Projects in the pipeline cover garments, Philippine-Europe market linkages, ISO 12647-2, mining, wellness and skin care, wine and spirits, among others.

Local companies who have accessed PUM experts have observed:

“My experience with the PUM expert is beyond expectation”; “The PUM expert deployed in my company is very straightforward, direct and focused”; “The Dutch Senior Expert is very hardworking, very particular on time management and commitment to productivity and efficiency”. “No doubt the Dutch economy is very strong because their keen sense of entrepreneurship and innovation is something to emulate.

PUM Netherlands senior experts offer their skills and practical experience to entrepreneurs and government executives free of charge. PUM Netherlands pays for the international travel and medical insurance of the expert while the local company covers the food and accommodation of the expert during the project period minimum of 14 days.

The mission is also a big boost to the tourism industry. After the initial visit, the company can further avail of a follow-up project, a grant (Hans Blankett Fund) or Business Linkage/Training in Holland. For Business Linkage/Training in Holland, the Dutch Consular Office in Cebu plays an active role and support in the visa endorsement of qualified PUM clients.

The Netherlands is the Philippines third biggest export market reaching the USD4 billion mark in 2005, accounting for a 9 percent share of total Philippine exports. In the same year, Philippine imports from Holland have reached USD400 million, making the Philippines gain a positive balance of trade with the Dutch.

Interested companies and government agencies can email: pum_cebu@yahoo.com or call 0917-627-7781 for more information and project applications.

Roa revealed that she also headed a presentation on the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), dwelling on its facilities, services, as well as its recent hosting of the 12th Asean Leaders Summit last January.

CEBU CHAMBER OF Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Francis Monera has enumerated business leadership, business climate advocacy, and web portal development and sustainability as the three pillars of CCCI’s 2006 Strategic Plan to be used as reference for this year’s Work and Financial Plan.

Under the business leadership aspect, the chamber has created the Cebu Chamber CBM (Cebu Business Month) Foundation to enable the existing management staff to concentrate on regular chamber operations, attune the body to the times and meet the challenges of globalization.

“The foundation will also focus on the CBM both as an event and a project with developmental goals far beyond the event, particularly in the areas of tourism, information and communications technology (ICT), and entrepreneurship, the three drivers of Cebu’s economic advantage,” Monera told the audience during the CCCI’s General Membership Meeting held at the Casino Espanol.

In line with the CCCI’s recipient of the ISO 9001:2000 late last year, the CCCI has formulated a Staff Development Plan which is part of an overall Human Resource Development program for the management staff.

There is also a move to develop and establish a CCCI brand architecture which will reflect the chamber’s unique identity, what it stands for, its strengths, its philosophy and the way things are done.

In the larger context, Monera said the Chamber has also crafted the slogan “Inspiring Cebu” in a branding workshop participated by representatives from the city and provincial governments as facilitated by BrandLab.

Regarding the business climate advocacy, the chamber will soon complete a study that would determine the viability of proclaiming the entire Province of Cebu as a private-sector led and managed Modified Special Economic Zone.

“One international ecozone expert and the Center for Research and Communications have been commissioned through a grant from the German Technical Cooperation Agency to do the study,” Monera revealed.

Aside from this, the chamber has also prepared a concept paper and guidelines for the creation of Local Business Councils (LBCs) in the various municipalities of Cebu as a mechanism for effecting a favourable business and investment climate in the Province.

“Full implementation is by July or August this year,” Monera confirmed.

In February, the Linkages with the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARENA 7) and the Office of the President-Visayas were launched to provide a regular forum for the identification, prioritization, discussion and resolution of business-related issues and concerns with the said agencies.

Regarding investments, Cebu’s investment potentials were further showcased as the City to City Business Councils are actively working for the conduct of trade missions to Seoul, Xiamen, Vancouver-Toronto, and Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Monera pointed out that the first outbound trade mission to Daly City, California held last January was a resounding success as the delegates identified new markets and promoted Cebu to the twin cities of Daly and Colma.

“We also hosted a trade mission from Russia last March and facilitated Business Matching Sessions between CCCI and the Russians. A proposed outgoing trade mission to Moscow is being worked out,” he continued.

Other foreign trade missions include the RP-Canada Chamber of Commerce in Toronto which interacted with 30 chamber members last March in Cebu.

Prospects for trade relations are bright since an outgoing trade mission to Toronto and Vancouver will be conducted in July 2007.

“We were also visited by a six-man delegation from our sister chamber, the Xiamen General Chamber of Commerce just last month. In turn, they will welcome us this September,” the speaker declared.

On the web portal for development and sustainability, the chamber head revealed that the Cebu Business Portal is fully functional and provides great opportunities for business matching and information sharing among members and other investors.

Other chamber projects include the “Meet the Business Legends” where a VIP CEO interacts with the public, the PROPEL Project characterized by its pro-poor tourism approach, the Child-Friendly Firm Recognition Program, Running Family Corporations, etc.

Monera also paid tribute to the valuable contributions of such aid donors as GTZ and DED, as he acknowledged that the chamber’s achievements would never be possible without the intercession of these two firms.

Talk about global compliance. The British Embassy recently announced that starting May 31, 2007, there will be two major changes to the visa application process for the United Kingdom.

First, all persons applying for UK visas must lodge their application; through the British Embassy’s commercial partner VFS Global Ltd., at the new UK Visa Application Center (UKVAC) on the 25th Floor of the Philippine AXA Building at 1286 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue corner Tindalo Street in Makati City.

Second, all visa applicants irrespective of nationality, will have to apply in person to the UKVAC and have their fingerprints scanned and digitally photographed. This new system comes as the British Government introduces biometric data collection as part of a world-wide biometric identification process designed to protect an individual’s identity, facilitate future entry to the UK, combat visa fraud, and abuse of the UK’s immigration and asylum systems.

Meanwhile, visa applicants can lodge their applications and seek general immigration information at the VFS Visa Application Center at the 25th Floor of the Philippine AXA Building. There is no charge for this service in addition to the visa fee. The British Embassy will not accept applications other than in exceptional circumstances.

Unless otherwise advised, all visa applicants must have their fingerprints scanned and their photograph digitally taken.

Applications cannot be processed if an applicant refuses, or cannot provide, acceptable biometric data.

The UKVAC Call Centre is available from Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and on Saturdays from 8am to 6 pm. Recorded information is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The UKVAC Call Centre number is available to callers outside the Philippines. Information can also be obtained from their website www.vfs-uk-ph.com