Investors from the United States, Japan, Australia and South Korea, have already visited Mindanao's de facto Capital, Davao City. Last January 2017, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ended his visit in Davao City with $8.7 billion worth of business opportunities and private investments. This month, it can be recalled that a group of Chinese investors is eyeing the development of an industrial park in Davao.
Arturo Milan of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCI), who divulged the upcoming Chinese investment, will chair the Investment Conference 2017 (ICON 2017) on July 21 to 22 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang, Davao City. Update.PH reveals some 700 local and foreign delegates are expected to join the ICON 2017, which seeks to promote the area’s opportunities in the areas of infrastructure, connectivity, tourism, manufacturing and agriculture.
China Railway Engineering Consulting Group Co., was also keen on pursuing the monorail project in downtown Davao. According to Jiang Zhiping, if it pushes through, the project will be the first undertaking of their company outside China.
The Chinese are also eying to build a 10,000-seater convention center in Davao City. In a report by Sunstar Davao published last Wednesday, March 01, 2017, Davao City Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre said that Chinese representatives already met with President Rodrigo Duterte to express their interest in building the convention center. “The group must be serious as they met with the President,” Alejandre added.
Davao City is gaining popularity in the international market due to its recent developments that resulted to unprecedented growth. However, international businessmen investing in Davao is not new. It can be recalled that several international businesses have already set foot in the city such as Thailand-based Dusit Thani for instance.