2008 Second Global Business Training (GBT) in Manila

Thirty one officers, representatives and government consultants attended the Second Global Business Training at the Philippine Trade and Training Center from March 13-14, 2008.

The two day workshop focused on giving an overview of trade in services and enhancing skills in marketing services. The workshop was facilitated by international consultants. Mr. Rowan McClean, a consultant from Australia, teamed up with Dr. Leonardo Garcia, CPM and Mr. Benison Cu, CPM of the De La Salle University, and Lovinia Esguerra of ATIFTAP.

This project was headed by office of the Philippine Services Coalition (PSC), the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise and Development under the Department of Trade and Industry (BSMED-DTI), Department of Trade and Industry-Cebu (DTI-Cebu), Partnership and Advocacy for Competitiveness & Trade (PACT) and Association of Training Institutions for Foreign Trade in Asia and the Pacific (ATIFTAP). This event was also supported by the Trade is Services Division of the International Trade Center (ITC).

*CPM - Certified Public Marketer

2008 Global Business Conference: Pinoy at Your Service (GBC)

By Bea del Rosario and Faye Alcantara

The 2nd Global Business Conference, with the theme of "Pinoy, At Your Service: The Filipino Service Industry in the Domestic and International Arena," was held at the Philippine Trade and Training Center last February 2, 2008. The conference was divided into two: the morning session whose talks were dedicated for college students and the afternoon session for professors and business advocates.


This year, the Association of Training Institutions for Foreign Trade in Asia and the Pacific (ATIFTAP), in partnership with Forum for International Trade Development Inc. (FITDEV), DLSU-Manila's Marketing Management Department, DLSU-Araneta, Junior Entrepreneurs' Marketing Association (JEMA), and the Student Catholic Action (SCA), has expanded the audience base from educators, practitioners and students from the enterprise management field to the services sector.

Speakers in the first session were invited to talk about significant topics about service. Hon. Mina Gabor, President of PHILSMED, discussed about the trends in the Philippine Service Industry. Dr. Luz Suplico, came over from the Hankuk University of Foreign studies to share her knowledge about Service Exporting. Dr. Anthony Calibo of the Department of Health discussed about the competency of Filipino Medical Professionals. Talks regarding Culinary Arts and Hospitality were also conducted by Ms Paz Sales from the Center of Culinary Arts, Manila, and Dr. Gloria Baken Siy of Trinity University. Despite some technical deficiencies, the seminars were still able to enthrall almost 1,400 participants who attended the conference. The speakers were truly credible. They were able to give relevant information about the service industry and gave the participants valuable knowledge regarding a very timely topic.

As the morning session concluded, both student and other guests gave a warm round of applause for another successful event. As the participants exited the hall, they received a gift bag courtesy of GBC'08 sponsors, namely Mead Johnson, Fashion 21, D.E.I., Super Ferry, and Globe. Snacks were also served.

The discussion in the afternoon session was considered more rigorous and in depth as practitioners gathered and discussed about topics such as Roadmap for Global Competitiveness in Services Trade by Usec. Edsel T. Custodio, Trade in Services Opportunities and Trade Barriers by Ms. Samantha Jonsson, Competency Assessment: Opportunities for the Academe and Service Organizations by Ms. Jocelyn R. Pick, and The Role of Partnerships by Dr. Jose Edgar Mutuc

A few question and answer games were played in between talks: the winner receiving a prize from Super Ferry or Globe. Participation was actively done by the audience since there were many questions raised after each speaker. A 15min break was administered to give the audience a time to have snacks. And to conclude the session, an open forum was done. At the end of the day, all hard work and stress paid of as a lot of participants early await next year's Global Business Conference. Be sure to look out for the third installment for the Global Business Conference next year.

2007 The Business Management System Training (BMS)

SME Owner-managers, consultants, trainers and educators all over the Philippines and two academicians from Karachi, Pakistan have undergone the three-day training on the Business Management System.

The BMS training was held at the Angelo King International Center, De La Salle - College of St. Benilde.

2007 ATIFTAP Holds First Global Business Confab (GBC)

In partnership with the De La Salle University's Marketing Management Department, ATIFTAP has launched the First Global Business Conference held last February 10 at the Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium.

ATIFTAP organized the conference to stimulate discussions on international trade and promote global trade research. Some 1,165 participants, among them business practitioners, researchers, educators, and students, attended the event.

Academic institutions, research institutions, training institutions, private companies, and foreign universities (Mohammad Ali Jinnah University from Karachi, Pakistan and Hanyang University from South Korea) were represented.

The event was organized in coordination with the Partnership Forum for International Trade Development Inc. FITDEV, DLSU- Manila Junior Entrepreneurs Marketing Association, and faculty members from St. Scholastica College, Adamson University, IAME, DLS -Araneta University, DLS- Canlubang,and DLS- College of Saint Benilde.

Due to the success of the event, another Global Business Conference will be conducted on February 9, 2008 at the Philippine Trade and Training Center.

2006 First National Enterprise Competitiveness Confab (NECC)

ATIFTAP and the Partnership Forum for International Trade Development, Inc. (FITDEV) have launched the First National Enterprise Conference.

The event was held at the Bro. Andrew Building Lecture Room last December 8, 2006. Attended by De La Salle University's International Marketing students and ATIFTAP EMD Experts, Advisers, and Associates, the conference aims to discuss developments and trends in local and international trade.

During the event, six graduates of the Enterprise Competitiveness Course were awarded with their EMD Adviser certificates.

  2008 Second Global Business Training (GBT) in Manila

  2008 Global Business Conference: Pinoy at Your Service (GBC)

  2007 The Business Management System Training (BMS)

  2007 ATIFTAP Holds First Global Business Confab (GBC)

  2006 First National Enterprise Competitiveness Confab (NECC)