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Ailyn Agonia
DOHA
THE Philippine economic team showcased the viability of the Philippines as an investment destination during the investment forum hosted by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) at the Ritz Carlton Doha on Thursday. One of the highlights of the showcase was the plan to establish defence industrial complex.
The event attended by some of the local investors and businessmen was the last leg of the Middle East roadshow spearheaded by PEZA Director General Charito Plaza that also covered the UAE and Saudi Arabia. It was also part of the preparations of the Philippine government for the planned visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to the Middle East likely taking place in April.
The delegation included representatives from Mindanao Development Authority, Zamboanga Economic Zone and Freeport Authority. The Doha-based PEZA emissaries who attended the event were Joseph Timothy Rivera, Greg Loayon and Adel Saadeh.
"The choice of the destinations (UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar) for the roadshow not only showcases the importance of the region for the Philippines but also shows the huge potential for investment for these economic powerhouses. This brings me to my key message that as an investment destination the Philippines has so much to offer. The Philippines has now become one of the most viable and attractive destinations in ASEAN," Philippine Embassy Doha Charge d'Affaires Roussel Reyes remarked on the occasion.
Meanwhile, the PEZA Chief presented the opportunities for Qatari investors in the Philippine economic zones and cited the advantage of the Philippines against its neighbouring countries including its GDP growth of 6.63 percent (2012 to 2015), 100 million population and young population profile.
Plaza also underscored the strength of the Filipino workforce given its high literacy rate, ability of majority of the nationals to understand and speak the English language and competence of Filipino workers especially in the IT sector. The official outlined the ease of investing in the Philippines with the country's strategic location, its 7,500 islands, investor-friendly policies and the many incentives the country can offer to economic zones investors.
"PEZA is a one stop shop (building and occupancy permits, import and export permits, environmental clearance certificate and other services) and provides 24 hours a day, seven days a week continuous service. Five of the world's top 20 semicon and electronics sales leaders are operating in the Philippines. We have agro-industrial economic zones, aqua-marine economic zones, tourism economic zones (retirement home, wellness and naturopathy villages), mineral processing economic zones, renewable energy eco-industrial park and halal hubs and production zones," Plaza said.
She also reiterated the commitment of PEZA to further improve the services of the agency through various strategies including having agreements with key government institutions and promoting public-private partnership in building economic zones and logistic hubs.
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17/02/2017
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