Dipolog City (26 June) -- The scheduled 17th Mindanao Business Conference (Minbizcon) in this city this August was formally launched Friday at Mallberry Suites Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City.

The launching ceremony, attended by key officers of the Philippines Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), leaders of Mindanao local chambers and USAID's Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM3) Program, kicks off the campaign for this year's conference to be held on August 27-29, 2008 at the Zamboanga del Norte Convention and Exhibition Center (ZNCEC) in this city.

The Mindanao Business Conference, organized by the PCCI, is the largest annual gathering of the various sectors representing the Mindanao business community. Hosting this year's Minbizcon is the Dipolog Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in partnership with the provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte and the city governments of Dipolog and Dapitan. It also got support from the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM3) Program, the Mindnao economic Development council (MEDCO) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

The yearly conference is the preferred platform of the Mindanao business community to express issues and concerns which are effectively captured and integrated into the "Mindanao Business Policy Agenda" – a consolidation of issues and recommended action steps from the various sectors during the pre-conference consultation sessions. The recommendations are presented to the government for necessary action.

No less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was invited to be the guest of honor during the closing ceremony of the conference. Like in the past conferences, the President is expected to announce during the conference the government response to the issues and recommendations submitted by the Mindanao business community.

Other invited speakers for this year's gathering are US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney, who has just confirmed her attendance, ambassadors of Canada, Japan, China, Australia and the Chief Minister of Sabah, Malaysia to discuss their respective countries development undertakings in Mindanao particularly on international trade and cooperation.

National renowned figures in various fields have also been invited as resource persons such as Francisco Alejo, President of San Miguel Foods Corp.; Congressman Rosendo Labadlabad, vice chair of house committee on agriculture; Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap; Sabin Aboitiz, CEO of Aboitiz One and many others.