The Philippine Business Council of Abu Dhabi, a non-profit organization registered with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, envisions a Filipino community of business leaders, constantly growing through supporting trade, commerce, and investment between the Philippines and the UAE.
Having done many projects over the years, one of their flagship events is InfoRoom, a series of talks aimed at strengthening the ecosystem of Filipino SME’s within Abu Dhabi. Another notable project is BizTalk, a series of lectures by established and successful entrepreneurs and resource speakers.
With the collective goal of linking Filipino entrepreneurs and partners, the PBC-AUH plays a key role in connecting entities to business opportunities whether in the Philippines through the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) or via the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and its attached service units and other supporting entrepreneurial organizations.
The group believes that, with the innate Filipino resourcefulness and resilience, success in business is there for the taking. According to Chairman Deborah Gay Dayrit, “We global Filipinos are known for our remarkable adaptability and ingenuity. If these traits are augmented and backed up with a proper support system, we will produce more Filipino owned SMEs that will outshine the rest. To rise from the status quo, one needs to dare fearlessly, and yes, the PBC is here to support and see them compete globally.”
Trailblazers – Philippine Business Council – Dubai & Northern Emirates
Non-Profit Group
Vanguards of Philippine business in the UAE, the Philippine Business Council – Dubai and Northern Emirates has been spearheading initiatives to advance opportunities for existing and aspiring Filipino entrepreneurs, as well as their partners in the market. Established since 2001, the non-profit organization which is recognized by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce has been benefitting the Filipino business community through various projects through the years,
Photo by: Ace Reyes
With the slogan “Connecting people, bridging businesses,” the group mounts multifaceted activities that provide business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as professionals, educational, as well as networking activities, beyond the Filipino community. The PBC DNE also represents the Philippines within the larger community of multicultural businesses and councils in the emirates.
PBC DNE’s most notable projects which run the whole year round include Sobiz (Socializing for Business), Edubiz (Education for Business), as well as Interface (a landmark gathering of entrepreneurs from different communities hosted by the PBC). In 2019, PBC DNE also launched the PBC Fellowship, a training program for entrepreneurs looking to start up their businesses. In 2020, the group is also looking to mount the largest Philippine art festival in Dubai.
“We are proud of our team of talented volunteers and our initiatives on continuous education, business networking, and social events which elevate Filipinos in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, PBC DNE Director Leo Barrameda says. He adds, “We must continuously learn, and put aside time or money into improving ourselves first then others. This will elevate us one Filipino at a time.”
Executive Committee: Chairman – Bobbie Carella, Vice Chairman – Lalaine Chu-Benitez, Director of Finance – Anne Orlina, Secretary – Lairene Reodica Sint, Business Dev Director – Enrique Yamzon, CSR Director – Leo Barrameda, Membership Director – Allan Bautista, PR & Comms Director – Ken Peralta, Projects & Events Director – Andy Minodin, Social Media Directors – Eden Nebreja and Renz Salada, Sponsorship Director – Marlowe Paran
Filipinos have always been enterprising. Go to any place in the world with a big overseas Filipino population and you will find Filipino-owned restaurants, salons and spas, Filipino online retail businesses, even freelance Filipino artists and writers who have formed their own consultancies.
LBC, the Philippines’ leading courier and freight forwarder, aims to nurture and grow this spirit of entrepreneurship by awarding a start-up fund worth AED 50,000 to the winning business plan of the 8-month course PBC Fellowship Programme of the Philippine Business Council – Dubai and Northern Emirates. This is by far the biggest grant known that will be provided by any Filipino corporate entity within the Emirates.
The PBC Fellowship Programme will officially award the winning business plan on November 22, 2019. Six aspiring business start-ups, shortlisted from a pool of 12 groups and 40 individuals, have made it to the finals, with exciting new business concepts that range from retail apparel, sports training, health and wellness, as well as alternative digital platforms that are proudly Filipino.
The winning business plan will receive AED 30,000 business grant to ensure proper start-up of the business along with AED 20,000 worth of front-and back-end business and logistics support from LBC Express.
Says Allan Bautista, Sales & Marketing Senior Manager of LBC Middle East. “With the growth of Filipino-run SMEs in the region, Filipino entrepreneurs need a reliable partner that can deliver customized logistics solutions to help scale up their business. While each startup may have different logistical and operational needs, LBC is able to tailor-fit its offerings to best fit specific needs.”
Adds Bautista, “When you partner with LBC for your business, you will share not only our network of 6,400 branches, hubs, warehouses, partners, and agents in over 30countries worldwide, but also our almost 70 years of experience, expertise, and knowledge.”
“We are glad to partner with LBC for this first-ever initiative,” says Leo Barrameda, Project Head of the PBC Fellowship Programme. “The LBC business grant will not only provide major opportunities for the winning business plan but will also give aspiring Filipino entrepreneurs avenues to realize their own business ideas.”
Fellowship Programme for Aspiring Filipino Entrepreneurs in Dubai – Philippine Business Council Dubai
Vanguards of Filipino entrepreneurship in the Emirates, the Philippine Business Council of Dubai and the Northern Emirates has recently launched another signature programme – the PBC Fellowship in partnership with LBC. Held under the auspices of the Philippine Consulate General – Dubai, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), PBC Fellowship is an 8-month programme designed for Filipinos who are interested in starting a business in the United Arab Emirates.
It is a development and empowerment course for overseas Filipinos to transition from employees to entrepreneurs. The scope of the programme will run from business conception to operations, through to expansion. The programme is transformational, experiential, and highly interactive designed to ensure quality results for the participants.
The fellowship will run for 8 months, starting on April 5th until October 25th which is the Final Business Plan Presentation. There will be 14 learning sessions facilitated by industry experts every other Friday, starting April 5th. The courses are strategically scheduled to evaluate the previous session and prepare for the next one. Each session is from 10 AM to 5 PM and will be composed of 2 sections – lecture/theoretical approach in the morning and workshop/case studies in the afternoon.
A final business plan is required to be presented to graduate in the programme. From all the presentations, 1 winning business plan will be selected to receive a start-up grant worth 30,000 AED from LBC. In addition, LBC will continue to provide up to 20,000AED worth of front, and back-end business and logistics support help the business in its first year.
QUALIFICATIONS
Filipino citizen, 21 years old and above
With a valid residence or employment visa
Basic proficiency in English and computer skills
Intention to stay in the UAE in the next 3 years
Only 50 participants will be selected to join the programme. There will be a scheduled panel interview to assess the commitment of the applicants.
Business Bayanihan: Getting a headstart through Filipino business organizations
By Lalaine Chu-Benitez
“Filipinos around the world are renowned for their community-based thinking and the family atmosphere they create within their own communities. This unselfish mindset creates the opportunity to unite as one voice and grow our organizations together. If you want to grow your respective organization, use what is naturally within us, the sense of family. Strengthen bonds by supporting each other’s organizations through sharing resources or simply sharing each other’s posts.” – Craig Wilson, President – FACCHO
Nowhere is the adage “no man is an island” more true, and in fact even critical, but in the world business – where relationships and the ability (or inability) to work with others can make or break a venture.
The talent to collaborate however is not an innate skill for all entrepreneurs, regardless whether they are aspiring business owners or if they have been at it for a long time. This becomes even more challenging in markets beyond the homeland where you have to deal with people from different cultures that have different values and ways of doing things.
This is where one’s immediate community becomes a very valuable resource. And where harnessing the power of your own people can help you and your business get ahead.
In various Filipino communities around the world, the spirit of communal work is alive and kicking in the entrepreneurial sector, with veritable “business bayanihan” providing a boost to Pinoy entrepreneurs in so many ways. We have spoken to three Filipino business organizations to find out how they are adding value to the Philippine business community.
Facilitating Linkages and Education
In the UAE, the Philippine Business Council of Dubai and Northern Emirates (PBC DNE) has played a leadership role for Philippine business in the country since 2001. A non-profit organization established under the patronage of the Embassy of the Philippines and the Philippine Consulate General of Dubai and the Northern Emirates. PBC – DNE is recognized by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and is also a member of the ASEAN Business Councils Alliance (ABCA).
As vanguards of Philippine entrepreneurship in the UAE, the council provides avenues for business exchange among Filipino entrepreneurs, and other parties with a commercial interest in the Filipino market in the emirates. The PBC Dubai also endeavors to build and grow business ties with organizations in the Philippines and the UAE; promote the development of bilateral trade, investment, tourism, the exchange of business delegations and improve the overall Philippine-UAE commercial scene. Furthermore, the council also offers assistance to Philippine start-ups setting up in the country.
Similarly, in the capital, counterparts Philippine Business Council of Abu Dhabi, a member of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) has been operating since 2003 with the same objectives. The council provides a forum for exchange of knowledge and resources beneficial to the common business interest of its members, and constantly endeavors to establish a strong relationship with government agencies, and the international business community for the development of bilateral trade, investment and tourism. The PBC Abu Dhabi is also actively promoting entrepreneurship amongst Filipinos in Abu Dhabi.
On the other side of the world, set against a totally different business environment, the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Hollywood (FACCHO) was started out of a need to help organize the businesses and its business supporters within the growing FilAm Entertainment industry. As a newly formed Filipino organization, FACCHO has huge ambitions to not only educate entertainers on how to think like an entrepreneur but to also instigate partnerships between businesses/brands and entertainers. The group aims to create a financial system within their community that supports both its entertainers and businesses.
According to FACCHO President Craig Obligacion Wilson, “The Filipino American Entertainment industry has yet to be organized. As FACCHO we are doing just that. By reaching out to leaders within each creative field, we are beginning to establish a new board of directors that can give a voice to the Fil-Ams in their respective field. We are also starting to establish relationships with various Filipino organizations by sharing resources and growing our community together.”
Craig Wilson – President, FACCHO
FACCHO hosts quarterly workshops, monthly mixers, provides social media support and promotional support to member businesses and entertainers. “Our plan is to directly introduce established businesses with Fil-Am entertainers to inspire a relationship that can grow into a business. We want to educate our members on the power of product placement, branding, marketing, and sponsorships. With membership benefits like advertising on podcasts, directly paid to advertise on their project/event/website becoming a member not only directly benefits the member, it directly helps to grow the community as a whole,” shares Craig Wilson.
Likewise, the PBC DNE and PBC Abu Dhabi also host mixers to connect entrepreneurs in the community, as well as companies who have interest in the Filipino sector. Both organizations also join networking events with the business councils of other countries to expand their members’ contact network. In recent years, the PBC DNE has also established “Interface” – a landmark gala event held every two years which brings not only Filipino entrepreneurs, but also captains of businesses as well as key government officials – a forum to discuss the business trends driving the country and the region.
More than just networking activities the PBC DNE also facilitates workshops under its ‘EduBiz’ banner providing continued professional education to its members and other attendees. Moreover, the PBC DNE was the parent organization for the hugely successful Ateneo Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (LSE) program which has trained hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs. Many LSE graduates have now moved on to establish their own businesses.
Harnessing the spirit of community for business
Bobbie Carella, Chairman – PBC DNE
In essence, these Filipino organizations play an important role in assisting Filipino entrepreneurs and professionals in making beneficial connections in the market, as well as providing guidance and education on relevant business issues. PBC DNE Chairman Bobbie Carella spells out the group’s role succinctly, “We provide an environment of active cooperation and goodwill among members and the business community. We act as ‘connectors’ between Filipinos and other business communities in the UAE and beyond. Hence our slogan, “Connecting People, Bridging Businesses.’”
For Filipino entrepreneurs, it is well worth the time and effort to be part of such prolific groups and participate in “business bayanihan.”
FACCHO’s Craig Wilson explains how Filipinos have this built-in advantage and how our community groups’ have an invaluable and innate capacity to synergize and provide support to each other, “Filipinos around the world are renowned for their community-based thinking and the family atmosphere they create within their own communities. This unselfish mindset creates the opportunity to unite as one voice and grow our organizations together. If you want to grow your respective organization, use what is naturally within us, the sense of family. Strengthen bonds by supporting each other’s organizations through sharing resources or simply sharing each other’s posts.”
Philippine Business Council of Dubai & Northern Emirates
LEADERSHIP: Deborah Gay Aragon Dayrit – Chairman, Mariano Roque Senga – Vice Chairman, Christian Jay Redual – Corporate Secretary, Dra. Rose Bandola – Treasurer, Gau Raganit – Director for Trade, Industry and Entrepreneurship,
Esmeraldo Pangilinan – Director for Events, Rolly Brucales – Director for Membership, Paolo Rivera – Director for Sponsorship, Flariden Dela Torre – Director for Marketing and Communication
Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Hollywood (FACCHO)
PHILIPPINE BUSINESS COUNCIL DUBAI & NORTHERN EMIRATES
The Philippine Business Council of Dubai and the Northern Emirates (PBC Dubai), is a non-profit organization established in 2001 under the patronage of the Philippine Embassy and Consulate General of Dubai and the Northern Emirates. It is the only Filipino organization recognized by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the role of facilitating business opportunities for the Filipino community and their commercial partners in the country.
As vanguards of Philippine entrepreneurship, the council provides avenues for business exchange among Filipino entrepreneurs, and other parties with an interest in the Filipino market. In 2016, in keeping with the group’s mandate, the PBC hosted a Franchising Seminar, Stock Market Seminar, participation in Art Dubai, as well as networking events. PBC also serves as the parent organization supporting the Ateneo LSE (Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship) School overseeing their annual education program.
Most significantly, 2016 saw the PBC cementing its ties with the councils of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, to form the ABCA (ASEAN Business Councils Alliance), formally launched in September 2016 in an event that featured a briefing for entrepreneurs from the EXPO 2020 Leadership.
PBC Dubai is led by Chairman Bobbie Carella, and Executive Committee members (from left to right): Leo Barrameda (Secretary), Lalaine Chu-Benitez (Vice Chairman), Martina Plumley (Outgoing Head of Membership). Not included in the picture are Andy Minodin (Head of Projects) and Eden Borja (Outgoing Treasurer), as well as newly-elected Execom members – Dr. Becky Desiderio, Ken Peralta, Annabel Ramirez and Sharon Magsino.
PBC’s corporate partners include –Western Union, The Medical City, llustrado, Tara Kabayan, Chestertons International Real Estate and Brokerage, Startup Business Set-up, Little Manila, Pentaglobal HR Solutions, Cresco Chartered Accountants FZE, CMG
Photo by Alex Callueng; Photography Assistant – Bethoven Filomeno Special thanks to – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.
Most Influential Filipinos: Philippine Business Council – Dubai and Northern Emirates
Philippine Business Council Execom – L-R: Lalaine Chu-Benitez, Bobbie Carella, Christine Gonzales, Caloy Serrano, Leo Barrameda, Eden Borja, Andy Minodin and Marty Plumley Photo by Eros Goze for Illustrado Magazine
Philippine Business Council of Dubai and the Northern Emirates Photo by Eros Goze for Illustrado Magazine
With the mantra “Connecting People, Bridging Businesses” the Philippine Business Council of Dubai and the Northern Emirates plays an integral role in bolstering the presence of Filipino businesses and assisting entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners in the UAE.
The group is the only Filipino organization officially recognized by the Dubai government and licensed by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industries. According to Chairman Bobbie Carella, “PBC is a platform, an avenue to promote and create an environment of active cooperation and goodwill amongst its members and the business community in Dubai, the Northern Emirates and the Philippines. Since we re-launched the group this year, we have come to define our role in the Filipino community as a repository of information – a knowledge distribution node. Another critical function of PBC is to act as ‘connector’ between Filipinos and other business communities in the UAE and beyond.”
The PBC has spearheaded a number of projects in the past both educational, as well as in support to various Philippine-causes, the most prominent of which is the very successful Ateneo de Manila University Leadership and Entrepreneurship Programme (LSE) which is now in its third year. This year, the PBC has also started running seminars and workshops on management topics for the continued development of both entrepreneurs and professionals.
PBC Chairman – Bobbie Carella – Photo by Eros Goze for Illustrado Magazine
Set to celebrate its 15th anniversary in 2016, Bobbie shares that the group is gearing to facilitate a Regional Trade Show that will showcase industries from around the Philippines. She also adds, “Moving forward we would like to see PBC with a very healthy membership of committed and engaged individuals who will deliver. There is strength in numbers – we are now the 3rd biggest ethnic group in the emirates. Once we increase our membership size, with PBC acting as a collective overseeing body, this council will have the clout and be the vox populi of our community. Finally, we would also like to see more presence of big Philippine brands in the country.”
The PBC Executive Committee consists of – Bobbie Carella (Chairman), Red Vargas (Vice Chairman), Eden Borja (Treasurer), Caloy Serrano and Marty Plumley (Membership), Lalaine Chu-Benitez (Marketing), Andy Minodin (Projects), Christine Gonzales and Leo Barrameda (Secretariat).
Flying the flag of Filipino entrepreneurs in the capital is the Philippine Business Council of Abu Dhabi (PBC-AD), an organization composed of businessmen, entrepreneurs and professionals connected with local companies who share a common interest in developing local business, trade and investment between the Philippines and United Arab Emirates.
Formed in 2003, the council’s objectives include – to provide a forum for exchange of knowledge and resources beneficial to the common business interest of its members, to establish a strong relationship with government agencies – the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, trade associations and the international business community with the purpose of developing bilateral trade, investment and tourism, to encourage Philippine companies and entrepreneurs to establish operations in the UAE, and to promote entrepreneurship amongst Filipinos in Abu Dhabi
With the favorable endorsement of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, PBC-AD was granted full membership by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) in March 2004. The Council has also received its commercial license to operate from the Abu Dhabi Municipality in order to implement its program and activities.
In furthering the council’s aspirations, the group holds events for Filipino entrepreneurs and professionals in the capital. Chairman Agnes Aquino-Briggs explains, “We have a monthly ‘Kapihan,’ a casual gathering where we exchange knowledge on issues related to the council’s objectives. During this event, we also invite resource speakers to give talks on relevant topics such as – setting up business in the UAE, labor and business law, etc. We also give an opportunity to individual and corporate members to share their success stories so everybody can learn from their experiences.” She added, “We also hold a lively cocktail event called ‘BizzTalk’ where we invite members as well as officers of the Philippine Embassy and the DTI, as well as friends and potential members with the goal of promoting newly set-up businesses to the Filipino community. Other social and business events are organized with the participation of corporate members to help promote, and connect them to local companies and the general market.”
The PBC-AD hopes to espouse even more meaningful projects in the future and to reach out to all the professional Filipino organizations in order to collaborate on projects for the continued empowerment of Filipinos in UAE.
Learn more about the PBC Abu Dhabi here – http://www.philippinebusiness.org/
