[ sunstar.com.ph ] Monday, January 19, 2009
DESPITE forecasts of a slow growing economy this year, an Indian national is prepared to establish several businesses in Cebu.
To test the market, Louis Godinho—originally from Goa, India—put up a function hall that now serves as venue for various gatherings in the northern town of Consolacion. Palms Cebu, which is equipped with a bar and will soon feature snooker tables, is located near the Fooda commercial complex in the town center.
“It’s more than a multi-function hall. It will be a showcase of my business, which I will soon introduce in Cebu,” he said in an interview.
Godinho runs Lazer Inc., an advertising company in Dubai that provides signage printing and installation, store presentation setup and metal fabrication and woodworking services. The company employs Filipinos, mostly from Cebu.
Before expanding to Cebu, however, Godinho said he will observe the market growth in Cebu.
“There is a need for it; maybe not so much in Cebu now, but more in Manila. (When Lazer expands here), Lazer Cebu will be a production site for orders from Manila and other places in the Philippines,” he said.
Better market
He added, though, that Cebu will eventually be at par with Manila and he wants “to be in the position to take advantage of that when it happens.”
“As of now, the better market is Manila, but I love Cebu,” said Godinho, who is married to a Cebuana.
He said he has shipped three container vans of equipment for painting, carpentry and metalworks for the future expansion of his advertising company.
While observing the Cebu market, Godinho said he plans to open an Internet café and coffee shop near Palms within the year.
He said he also plans to open a restaurant within Palms that will offer Indian food. When this happens, he will bring in chefs from India.
“We might have to modify (the food) to suit the Filipino palate,” he added.
He said he remains “optimistic and determined” about investing in Cebu even with the global financial crisis that has hampered economic growth in the Philippines.
“Besides, I’m not working on a large scale,” he said. He added that he is used to tackling challenges, having come from a difficult childhood in India.
Although Palms is located in Consolacion, Imelda Licen-Godinho said the function hall has received several bookings for parties.
The Godinhos said they are optimistic about Palms’ success as it is the only establishment of its kind in Consolacion. (LAP)
