Rey Anthony H. Chiu
TAGBILARAN CITY, July 4 (PIA) -- Efforts from the government to
offer viable local alternatives for work and income for overseas Filipino
workers (OFW) has extended to those eager to maximize their capital laying
idle in their bank accounts.
Now comes Bohol OFW Negosyo Expo, a two-day event in the
middle of the Sandugo festivities and in anticipation of the homecoming season
for Boholano OFWs and locals who have carved a name in business and other
endeavors across the country.
Set on July 5 to 6 at the Bohol Cultural Center, the OFW Expo
will feature information on the latest innovation and trends presented in an
interactive program via seminars, fora, product presentations, and other
activities that provide growth and business opportunities, said Bohol
Investment Promotion Center (BIPC) Chief Maria Fe Dominese
Catering especially for OFWs and also for locals who are eager to
invest their hard-earned savings but are still looking for viable ventures, the
OFW Negosyo expo happens to be a local intervention to plug the leaking exodus
of highly qualified workforce.
"The prospect of OFWs engaging into business will not only
maximize the negative effects of disunited families but will definitely boost
local investment and employment," Dominese said.
Event organizers hope the OFW Negosyo Expo will change the
pervading mindset that working abroad is a life-long endeavor and the only
viable means to survive.
Bohol, home for over 20,000 OFWs who have hugely contributed to
the country's economic growth, keeps a widespread and largely accepted truth:
the prospect of working abroad is the only sustainable and viable way for a
comfortable life.
That, however has been slowly worked up, with BIPC and in
partnership with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), as well as
private partners opening up venues for business facilitation and advisory
services in the three Negosyo Centers in Bohol.
Earlier, another venue opened with the triennial Tigum Bol-anon sa
Tibuok Kalibutan (TBTK), where business options are presented at the
institutionalized Investment Forum as part of the TBTK events.
The move for the TBTK was among the options Bohol explored to
generate sufficient capital pouring into the poverty-ravaged province then,
shared then governor Rene Relampagos.
After the TBTK, local businesses enjoyed a soaring boost, which
resulted to a fast-tracked development highlighted by Bohol recording a reach
into the billion peso investments years back.
With the country as among the top exporters of skilled workers and
brains churning out to move economies abroad, building opportunities by laying
the local infrastructure support could be a worthy move, Bohol Chamber of
Commerce and Industry head Albert Uy said. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Bohol)