DAVAO CITY - The Innovation Summit which formally opened on Nov. 10, gathered about 400 onsite participants mostly coming from the ICT (Information Communications, Technology) industry and in the innovation sector.

The two-day event (Nov. 10-11) held at the Acacia Hotel in Davao City aims to showcase Davao City as a premiere ICT destination and a contributor to the region’s growth and recovery.

“The purpose of our innovation summit is to share the good news to our community that Davao is emerging the pandemic, our companies from the ICT industry continue to grow and prosper,” says Atty. Sam Matunog, president of the ICT-Davao, an association consisting of the various ICT stakeholders in the city.

According to Matunog the summit is expected to promote, create linkages, participate in business-to-business matching and forge partnerships with other companies that will benefit the region.

“We have jobs and training opportunities for people who are interested to find livelihood in IT and IT-enabled services,” the ICT-Davao president said.

Davao City First District Councilor Bernard Al-Ag, current chairperson of the Sangguniang Panglungsod committee on trade, commerce, and industry said the holding of the innovation summit in Davao City will benefit young Dabawenyos, who comprise majority of the 70,000 ICT workers in Davao City as it will bring opportunities for more investments in the city’s ICT sector.

“We are targeting that by 2028 our ICT workers will reach 150,000 that is why the City Government is supporting 100% the summit because this has the potential to give more jobs and to bring more businesses to the city,” Coun. Al-ag said.

The major highlights of the summit include 30 world-class speakers sharing views related to disruptive and next generation technologies, innovations in outsourcing services, innovator pitches, innovation in Quick Commerce (Q-commerce) and financial technology and innovations in sustainable IT.

There are also 21 exhibitors showcasing their numerous IT products and services to prospective customers. Various government offices such as the Bureau of Customs, the Department of ICT (DICT) and the Department of Trade and Industry also exhibited their various IT-enabled innovations and services. (PIA/RG Alama)