BACOLOD City – A franchise industry leader urged residents of Bacolod to take advantage of the opportunity to invest in business amid the city’s reputation as a progressive city.
“It is a perfect time for Bacoleños to ride on the growth momentum. It will impact not only on their local economy but the entire nation as well,” said Johnny Que, director of the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) – Western Visayas.
Que issued the statement as PFA officials headed by founding president and chairman emeritus Samie Lim and vice chairman Bing Sibal-Limjoco led the opening of the two-day Franchise Expo at L’Fisher Hotel in this city on Thursday.
Themed “Franchise Negosyo para sa Bacolod”, the event ran until Friday as part of the 27th Visayas Area Business Conference and Agriculture and Livestock Expo hosted by the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental.
PFA president Richard Sanz, in a separate statement, said the expo in Bacolod is under the PFA’s Franchise Negosyo Roadshow that aims to contribute to the economic development by providing business opportunities to the people in the regional areas.
“We are excited with our franchise expo in Bacolod City because it is one of the most progressive cities in the country,” Sanz added.
The PFA cited that in the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index 2018 released by the National Competitive Council recently, Bacolod ranked first among the highly-urbanized cities in the Visayas and eighth in the list of the most competitive cities nationwide.
This year, Bacolod was awarded “Most Business-Friendly City” by The Manila Times, it added.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who graced the opening rites, said the city government is optimistic the expo would create new businesses and employment for the locals.
“This is perfect timing since Bacolod is moving towards the direction of being the most competitive city in the country,” Familiaran said.
The expo was participated in by 18 exhibitors.
At least 40 local enterprises were taught on how to franchise business and how to invest in the right franchise.
Sibal-Limjoco said current opportunities in the franchising industry are growing, which small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Negros Occidental may take advantage of. (PNA)
