Dubai - Spurred by an objective to develop linkages among Filipino entrepreneurs here, the Philippine Business Council (PBC) had recently organised its first networking meeting.
The event, which was participated by Filipino professionals and business experts, featured as lecturer Eugenio Lopez III, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ABS-CBN, one of the largest broadcasting firms in Asia.
Lopez discussed how ABS-CBN grew from a Philippine-based broadcasting company to a global organisation, which operates in North America, Australasia, Europe, and Middle East. According to Lopez, "successful endeavors do not start with money but with values."
He also noted that Filipino entrepreneurs can seriously consider venturing into the service business, a field where Filipinos excel worldwide.
Currently, Lopez said, the Philippines' global revenue accounts for 50 per cent of the country's total income, a proof that the global business is stronger than the local industries. He also noted the $8-9 billion remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFW) as a saving factor for the Philippine economy.
Also invited to the meeting were Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Libran Cabactulan and Consulate General Generoso Calonge.
Ambassador Cabactulan said the Philippines has started to expand its business in the UAE through hone-grown franchise companies but more effort should be exerted so as to encourage traditional Filipino exporters to come here and for local investors to go to the Philippines.
"We want to strengthen that concept of 'Entrepreneur Pinoy' which motivates Filipino professionals to eventually look into entrepreneurship," the ambassador said.
© Khaleej Times 2005
