The University of Santo Tomas Graduate School’s Business Cluster Symposium Series recently hosted a virtual academic talk on “International Business and Global Strategy: Trends, Developments, and Challenges” on November 18, 2023. The event, conducted via Zoom and streamed live on the UST GS Business Cluster Symposium Series Facebook Page, featured two distinguished speakers and drew a diverse audience of 500 students, academic staff, and professionals.
Mr. Lubin De Vera, Jr., Chief of the One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSACSI) of the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI), highlighted the Philippines’ priority investments in renewable energy, IT-BPM, and agriculture, making it a global leader in these sectors. He also noted the creation of 19 investment promotion agencies to promote the Philippines as an investment destination. The speaker shared key reforms, such as lowering the capital requirement for investors in the retail sector and allowing 100% foreign ownership of public services through the Public Service Act (RA No. 11659). He emphasized the government’s game-changing laws, such as the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, and its efforts to attract foreign investments.
Mr. Ven Christian Guce, Senior VP of Filinvest Development Corp., discussed portfolio management, international corporate finance, and evaluating the market and competitive environment. Mr. Guce’s insights covered crucial factors in decision-making, including the Threat of New Entrants, Substitute Products, the Bargaining Power of Suppliers, and the Bargaining Power of Buyers.
In a separate occasion, students under the Master of Business Administration organized another webinar that highlighted the success stories of industry leaders in management in a virtual event titled “Successful Managers: On Becoming a Profound Leader” which was held on November 11, 2023.
Speakers during the event were Mr. Arthur L. Panganiban and Ms. Kris Mary Joy Angulo. Panganiban, CEO of Gotuaco, Del Rosario Insurance Brokers, Inc., who has over three decades of experience in non-life insurance and risk engineering, provided practical solutions to managers’ everyday challenges. Angulo, National Key Manager of Beiersdorf Philippines emphasized the importance of mentors in professional growth.
Both managers stressed the significance of teamwork and communication to reach the organization’s goal, and emphasized the importance of learning for professional growth.
