Cebu Trade Group’s Program Finalists in World Chambers Competition

A Cebu business chamber’s program on women entrepreneurship is a finalist in the World Chambers Competition.

The Search for Women In Need Now Entrepreneurs and Role Models (Winners) of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) is a finalist in the “Best Unconventional Project” category of the World Chambers Competition, a global awards program that recognizes the “most innovative projects” undertaken by chambers of commerce and industry from around the world.

According to the World Chambers Competition website, the category seeks to “reward those who have developed an exceptional project in an activity not typically associated with a chamber of commerce’s mission and objectives.”

“The project must be inspirational and innovative, while demonstrating that it fulfilled specific needs and objectives of the chamber and its small and medium enterprises (SME) member community, in terms of creating jobs and strengthening their local economies,” the award giving body said.

MCCI will be competing against Stavanger Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Norway), Chamber of Commerce of Zaragoza (Spain) and Calgary Chamber of Commerce (Canada) in the Best Unconventional Project category.

This year’s competition received 79 applications from 39 countries. Other categories include citations in corporate social responsibility, job creation and business development, and in policy advocacy.

“It is a great honor to be nominated as finalist to the World Chamber and compete with the other worthy finalists under the category,” said Carmel de Pio Salvador, MCCI’s vice-president for internal affairs.

In a statement, Salvador said the Winners project was conceptualized to highlight the stories of women in Mandaue’s barangays and how they have triumphed against challenges brought by society, birth and lack of opportunities.

MCCI listens to their stories and opens doors for training and networking, she said.

“The nomination is a breakthrough because it means the whole world will now know the stories of these women and will, for sure, inspire other women to succeed despite difficulties. The positive effect is unimaginable! And now let’s try to win the competition,” she said.

The World Chambers awarding will be held in Torino, Italy on June 10 to 12 during the World Chambers Congress. (PNA) CTB/EB/EBP