First SME and Direct Selling Expo Set this November

Small and medium enterprises (SME) as well as direct selling companies will come together to offer business opportunities to aspiring entrepreneurs at the Asenso sa Negosyo 2009: 1st SME and Direct Selling Expo slated on November 6 – 8, 2009 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Organized by Trade Advertising Exhibitions And Conventions International, Inc. (TRADECON Inc.), the event was conceptualized to upbeat the global financial crisis. The three day expo will provide opportunities especially for those looking for business and want to be an entrepreneur.

SMEs play a vital role in economic development. They offer the most economical use of capital in relation to job creation and provide the strongest growth channel for regional development. They are also recognized as the vehicle for growth in today’s regionally and globally interdependent and competitive economy.

Aside from SMEs, the event will feature numerous companies involved in direct selling, franchising, corporate giveaways, events management, marketing, hotel and travel destination, banking and finance, information and communications technology (ICT), garments and textile, food technology, and more.

Asenso sa Negosyo 2009: 1st SME and Direct Selling Expo is sponsored by Living Water Systems, Inc., Pearl of the Pacific Boracay and supported by Rotary Club of Manila and Media Blitz PR Consultancy . The event is in partnership with Sigma Identity Systems and Mindgate Systems, Inc. http://isp.mindgate.net/, and TechSupport.ph as Technology Partner. Media partners are China Business Philippines, 88DB Service Portal, BizLINQ.net, Super Ads, Philstar.com, Business World, HerWord.com, Filbars International Subscription System, Inc., Business Mirror, Philippine Graphic, and Trabaho.com.

The event is for the benefit of BayanNiJuan and ABS-CBN Foundation.

Register online at www.asensonegosyo.com. For more information about the event, contact TRADECON Inc., at (632) 440-9208, 440-3118, 437-4063 local 100 - 107 or e-mail tradecon.inc@gmail.com, asensonegosyo@gmail.com

Rural Banks Launched Campaign to Aid Countryside Development at Annual Convention

Rural bankers from all over the country launched their new information campaign during the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP) 56^th National Convention held last May 14-15, 2009 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City

The information campaign seeks to present rural banks as a key source of loans for community development and micro-entrepreneurship in the countryside. Furthermore, the campaign highlights the use of mobile technology utilized by rural banks in order to do business with their clients over long distance.

During the event, respected individuals from the banking and finance industry shared their knowledge to the participants of the convention. Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip, Founder and Managing Director of CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions discussed “Banking on Governance: No Challenge is Insurmountable". Representatives from Unitus Capital, Microfinance Innovation Center for Resources and Alternatives (MICRA Philippines, Inc.), and Thomson Reuters Philippines talked about “Raising Outside Equity and the Effect on Governance”, “Misconceptions of Ratings” and “Collaboration Service - Helping the Philippine Rural Banks become more efficient and powerful”.

Dr. James Soukamneuth, Asia Office Director of Planet Rating Asia talked about “The Benefits of Being Rated”. Lastly, Mr. Napoleon L Nazareno, President and CEO of PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc, gave his insights on “The Importance of Governance in Rural Banking”

Members of the RBAP elected their new sets of officers took office last July 2009. Mr. Joseph Omar Andaya, Chairman and President of Green Bank, was elected as the new president of RBAP. Other newly elected officials include:

• Vice President for Luzon - Mr. Edward Leandro Garcia Jr. (Quezon Capital Rural Bank)
• Vice President for Visayas - Mr. Rodolfo Z. Alvarez, (Rural Bank of Ilog)
• Vice President for Mindanao - Mr. Vittorio Z. Almario, (Rural Bank of Mati)
• Treasurer - Ms. Nora S. Pascual, (Rural Bank of San Francisco Del Monte, National Capital Region)
• Assistant Treasurer and Executive Director - Mr. Vicente R. Mendoza (Filipino Saver’s Bank)
• Corporate Secretary - Mr. Gregory De Guzman (Bangko Pangasinan, Region I)
• Assistant Corporate Secretary - Ms. Katrina L. Pilapil (Rural Bank of San Mateo, Region II)
• Directors
• Ms. Ma. Rosario R. Banzon (Balanga Rural Bank, Region III)
• Mr. George K. Dycaico (Rural Bank of Mabalacat, Region III)
• Mr. Cleto Villatuya (Rural Bank of Cavinti, Region IV)
• Mr. Delfin J. Diezmo (Rural Bank of Capalonga, Region V)
• Mr. William Christopher Dichoso (Dumaguete Rural Bank, Region VII)
• Ms. Anacleta D. Aboyme (Rural Bank of Hindang, Region VIII)
  

For more information about the event, contact the the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines at (632) 527-2972, 527-2968 , email info@rbap.org, or visit their website at www.rbap.org.

Housing Finance Industries Present During Third Philippine Housing Finance Forum

Representatives from banks and financial institutions, property developers, along with government shelter agencies and other stakeholders in the country's housing industry, were present during the Third Philippine Housing Finance Forum (PHFF) held last February 19, 2009 at the Peninsula Manila in Makati City.

The event, organized by the Home Guaranty Corporation, carried the theme, “Opportunities in Housing in Times of Uncertainty’. The annual conference aims to create awareness of the housing situation and opportunities amidst the international financial crunch, gather the industry stakeholders and discuss plans to mitigate the effects of the economic slowdown on the housing sector, boost cooperation among industry sectors thereby strengthening the industry, and to generate new ideas to sustain home financing and development.

Vice President Noli de Castro, chair of the Housing and Urban Development coordinating Council (HUDCC) gave the keynote address during the forum, while HGC president G.B.A. Bongolan presented an update and overview of the present housing finance industry situation.