Exhibition News
- Interview: Philippines endeavor to be a good host for next World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention
Date: 18-Sep-2007 Sources: (People's Daily)
As the 9th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC) concluded here Monday, organizers for the next gathering in 2009 at Manila, the Philippines vowed to be a good host.
The biennial convention has become 'more influential, as the economic power of China and ethnic Chinese business persons have grown significantly since the convention's birth in 1991,'Francis Chua, honorary committee leader of Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, told Xinhua.
At the closing ceremony of the 9th convention, when Ian. C.W. Fok , chairman of Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce announced 'The 10th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention will be held in Manila, the Philippines in November 2009,' the Philippine delegation stood up in excitement.
'We have worked very hard to win the bid for the next meeting, from the president to local people,' Chua said. The WCEC, aimed to enhance business exchange and networking, attracted some 3,000 ethnic Chinese business persons from over 30 countries and regions to Japan in the past three days.
Philippine Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, former President Fidel V. Ramos and a delegation of around 150 Philippine Chinese entrepreneurs attended the convention in Japan, Chua said, 'We have been trying to learn from Japan and the past hosts.'
Ramos voiced his support to the convention at the closing ceremony. 'Besides, the rest of the Philippine people will also be involved (in the event).'
'Around 30 percent of the Philippine's 89 million population have some ties of blood with the Chinese. There are some 2 million ethnic Chinese people in the Philippines who speaks Chinese,' Chua said, noting that ethnic Chinese have played an important part in the country's economic life.
Chua, chairman of the next WCEC organizing committee, said that they will endeavor to attract more Chinese entrepreneurs to the Philippines and make good preparations for the gathering. 'We wish more Chinese business persons will get to know the country and its rich resources,' Chua said. 'We also wish to make more friends through hosting the convention.'
Chua, a successful entrepreneur in information technology, securities, lumber and real estate, left China for the Philippines when he was four. A former leader of the Federation of Filipino- Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Chua now acts as a special envoy on trade and investment to China for the government.
'During the past two decades or so, I have witnessed China's growth together with other ethnic Chinese business persons,' Chua said, 'I hope ethnic Chinese around the world will work closer to contribute to the development of China.'
The World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention has been successfully held in Singapore; Hong Kong, China; Bangkok, Thailand; Vancouver, Canada; Melbourne, Australia; Nanjing, China; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Seoul, Republic of Korea since its birth in 1991, promoting local as well as regional and national economy of the host countries.
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