The Philippine Business Council – Dubai and Northern Emirates (PBC-DNE)—a non-profit organization that provides social access and business exchange of information and ideas for Philippine business entities, entrepreneurs and professionals to promote commerce both in UAE and the Philippines—recently concluded its Generation Business (GenBiz) program through an eventful graduation ceremony held on Friday, March 6 at Copthorne Hotel in Deira.
In partnership with Filbrit Training Centre, participants went through 8-weeks of intensive knowledge-building and training facilitation equipping them with necessary skills to manage their own businesses. Each participant was required to prepare a business plan and defend through a select panel as culminating activity.
The graduation ceremony was attended by Deputy Consul-General Renato Dueñas, Vice-Consul Elizabeth Ramos of the Philippine Consulate Dubai NE and Commercial Attache Charmagne Yalong of DTI-Middle East and Africa along with partners and Filipino-owned businesses – Alpha Media Productions, Darcey Flowers, FilBrit Training Centre, LBC Express, MPQ Travel and Tourism and Play Middle East FZE.
Bobbie Carella, Chairman of PBC DNE, notes that “Filipinos have always been enterprising. Besides the talent which Global Filipinos are known for, it’s no question that most of us already have what it takes. It’s just a matter of continuously encouraging and educating more and more of the aspirant Filipinos out there to recognize their talents and put them to use towards that big leap to having their own businesses.”
GenBiz graduate Divina Jimenez, who just recently opened their milk tea cafe – Joy Bubble – located in Al Qusais, Dubai, said that their business is now a reality and well on its due course, thanks to PBC-DNE and the GenBiz program.
Best Business Plan was awarded to Imee Aguilar Ramoy with her Skin Care Specialists business concept and is set to open her salon in Abu Dhabi within the year to be then supported by Play MiddleEast’s CEO Edwin Duria in setting it up.
Program Head Ben Lebig adds, “Every business plan that was presented by each of the 24 talented individuals that completed the course was the result of sleepless nights, after-work and weekend sessions, consultations, and continued learning from our very own Filipino self-made entrepreneurs. Not only are they ready to set-up their own businesses, they’re also well-equipped to take on the challenges that entrepreneurship brings with it, not to mention the encouragement that the PBC-DNE provides knowing that they have the entire Filipino business community to back them up.”
“We highly encourage Filipinos to utilize their talents and envision something bigger for themselves. As PBC-DNE GenBiz program comes to a close, we continue in our quest to enlighten more and more Filipinos and help achieve their dreams of having their own businesses and empower them to make them into reality”, says Allan Bautista, PBC Director for Memberships.
PBC-DNE champions Filipino entrepreneurship, believing that every individual has the capacity to reach greater heights through business success while ultimately weaving a stronger fabric and network for the community growth.
Apart from GenBiz, PBC has its flagship PBC Fellowship Programme, a 6-month full pre-entrepreneurship course that equips aspiring entrepreneurs with all the business knowledge and entrepreneurial skills necessary to start their own businesses. This is in partnership with top logistics provider LBC Express and is giving out a 50,000AED business grant to the best business plan and a chance to fully set up operations in UAE.
Applications for PBC Fellowship starts this April. For more details follow their website at www.pbc-dne.com and their facebook page Philippine Business Council-Dubai and Northern Emirates for more details.
