Jobseekers trooped to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in Davao City yesterday in the hope of snagging jobs at the jobs fair component of the 11th Davao Trade Expo (DATE).

DATE 2009 chair Dr. Maria Lourdes Monteverde said about 2,000 positions are available from 40 participating companies.

The bulk of these job openings are in the field of Information Communication Technology (ICT), both from local and foreign companies, she said.

The three-day DATE 2009 formally opened yesterday. It is an annual event of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII).

In his speech at the opening ceremonies, DCCCII president Simeon Marfori II the chamber decided to offer a jobs fair in this year’s DATE to respond to the global financial crisis.

The jobs fair is being held in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

DATE 2009 also offers business matching, business seminars, livelihood and skills trainings, corporate presentations, and product demonstrations.

The 8th Davao Region Business Conference (DRBC) will also be held on September 19 at the BSP.

The revitalization of the DRBC is aimed at building a collective competitive advantage by creating a regional environment for cooperation, coordination and unity across the region, Marfori said.

As a first step, DCCCII will organize the Davao Region Federation of Chambers of Commerce during the upcoming DRBC.