THE PRESENCE of the EU Ambassadors in the opening of the Davao Investment Conference 2019 (Davao ICON 2019) is an indication of their interest in exploring opportunities in Mindanao, according to Dr. Maria Lourdes G. Monteverde, Davao ICON 2019 chairperson. EU countries participating in this year’s conference include the Netherlands, Sweden, Russia, France, Hungary, and Belgium. EU Ambassadors from Singapore, Mexico, and Romania were also present. Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc (DCCCII) president Arturo M. Milan observed the presence of the ambassadors as merely observing security issues, especially considering that Mindanao is still under martial law. For his part, Lemuel G. Ortonio, officer-in-charge of the Davao City Investment Promotion Center, said, “The city is confident of achieving its target of 3 million tourist arrivals in 2019 with the addition of more international routes to and from Davao. In general the tourism industry in Davao is mainly driven by local tourists. However, in the past number of years we have seen a growth in foreign arrivals.” Topping international arrivals in Davao City are American, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean visitors. — Maya M. Padillo

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