Investment, entrepreneurship seminar for Pinoys in KSA

JEDDAH - Filipino expatriates in Jeddah and nearby places who want to become successful entrepreneurs will now have a chance to learn how. The OFW Cooperative Council (OFWCC) is set to hold an Investment & Entrepreneurship Seminar on June 18, Friday, at the Philippine Consulate Social Hall from 1 to 6 p.m. As part of the 112th Philippine Independence Day celebrations, OFWCC said the one-day seminar would be attended by different resource speakers who would share their expertise about real estate investment and realty salesmanship techniques. Atoy Esguerra, one of OFWCC’s Board of Directors, said Consulate Trade Attaché Paisal D. Abdullah would also give insights on Philippine trade and investment. Expected to attend to share their ideas are the sales manager of CDC Realty and the sales consultants of Century Properties. Esguerra added that Albert Osorio from the Cebuano Speaking Organization in Saudi Arabia would also share his knowledge regarding networking and direct selling, while a representative from the banking sector would talk about the importance of personal savings and investment. Ronald Mangua, one of the successful Filipino businessmen in Saudi Arabia, would likewise share his experiences in business ventures in trading Filipino products. Esguerra said one of the interesting topics included in the seminar will deal with OFWs becoming active in the new marketing phenomena. Ruben Galamay, the newly appointed representative of PAG-IBIG in Jeddah, will share information on PAG-IBIG’s housing loan program. He will also discuss the implementation of the mandatory membership of all OFWS. Social Security System (SSS) Representative Erna Hermoso Magsombol will also be available for inquiries related to SSS pension and investment plan. Jimmy Leonida, co-founder of OFWCC and the organization’s education chairman, will focus on savings and increasing cash flow, and cooperatives as an option in forming a business. Philippine Consul General Ezeddin Tago will also grace the affair. OFWCC current Chairman Bernie Gojo said some of OFWCC’s successful cooperatives are the Iloilo Migrant Workers Cooperative and the Biag Ti Ilocano Cooperative. Meanwhile, the Boholano Com Jeddah Ventures is now on its second year of operating the 24/7 Convenient Store, a 24-hr grocery-store in Tagbilaran City, with future plans of acquiring lands to be developed into hotels and restaurants as part of the Bohol Tourism Industry. Wenfred Castolome, the inter-coop & entrepreneur committee chair of OFWCC, said the FilExpat Coop was also able to negotiate through a private establishment to bring back the frozen banana brand Golden Saba to Jeddah. Castolome encouraged other coop groups to be part of the distribution team in marketing the product throughout the Kingdom, just like what the Riyadh-based coop Global Bisaya Cooperative did last year. He also advised other cooperatives which are just starting that the seminar will enhance their knowledge on better business prospects. Since it was established in 1996, the OFWCC has been actively helping fellow OFWs in providing seminars and other livelihood programs. OFWCC is an non-government organization which has been conducting seminars and other activities on establishing cooperatives. Those interested to attend the entrepreneurship seminar may contact OFWCC chair Bernie Gojo (0508377208), vice chair Jim Leonida (0502784630) or secretary Miles Lacson (0532768851). The seminar is free and snacks will be served along with hand-outs to be distributed to all participants from Pag-IBIG and SSS. - RJAB Jr/KBK, GMANews.TV