The European Chamber Commerce of the Philippines – NM conducted its 8^th Business Council Meeting last 10th of April 2019 at Capitol University.

The meeting was attended by Chairman of the Board, Ms. Mejia Mercedes, Managing Director of SLERS Industries, Inc.; Ms Petra Bursian, Managing Director of Newtech Pulp Inc.; Mr. Edwin Dael, Ms Bismela Lancin and Ms Wilma Buray of Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperatives (NMFDC); Ms Divina Lagdamen and Ms Hyessa Suegay Division Managers of Phividec Industrial Authority; Dr Heidi Mendoza Capitol University Business Development and Management Program Director; and ECCP Projects & Partnerships/Business Development Manager Mr. Archie Diaz.

The Business Council Meeting started with ECCP CdO Branch Officer, Joanne Natindim, introducing the ECCP NM Council Members for Ms Bursian. This was followed by an introduction of Newtech Pulp Inc. from the company’s Managing Director, Petra Bursian. It was explained by Ms. Bursian that the greatest challenge of the company is the need for reliable partners for sustainable suppliers for the material from Mindanao and the Philippines. An ECCP Member, Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperatives, raised that they have a 33-hectare land and asked for inputs on how they can start in order to support. A future meeting will be held soon between these companies to further discuss a sustainable plan in order to address the challenge. Ms Mercedes, Council Chairman, suggested that a demo farm would be good to convince the farmers. With Newtech Pulp Inc. being an ECCP Member, the council offered to link the company to their network as well for suppliers and possible projects.

The council has decided to conduct the Induction of Officers and to host a Networking Night in order for members to form closer connections and to invite new members to join. ECCP Cdo will also be hosting an event in Good Quality & Safety System Leading to Productivity as well as a Golf Cup, slated for late 2019.

For more information on ECCP CdO activities, contact Ms. Joanne Natimdim via joanne.natimdim@eccp.com.