Monday, July 07, 2008 C. Mindanao opens business assistance center
INVESTMENT promotions in Central Mindanao will get a boost with the opening of the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (Nerbac), so far the third such facility in the country, the regional Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.
Nelly Nita N. Dillera, regional Trade department chief for business development, said the center would ease difficulties of investors in getting the necessary clearances to operate a business.
"The center will also provide businessmen the necessary information on investments that they want to pursue in the region," Dillera said.
"In other words, Nerbac-12 is a one-stop shop where government agencies concerned are located in one office. It's actually making life easier for prospective investors," Dillera said.
This city was chosen as the area for Nerbac-Central Mindanao due to its investment potentials as well as its strategic location that is accessible by air, sea, and land, local officials said.
GenSan, the region's economic hub, is the gateway to the provinces of South and North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani.
"Nerbac-12 will cater to both local and foreign investors who wish to put up new businesses or expand its operations in the region," Trade department regional director Ibrahim K. Guiamadel said.
The center, which was opened late last week, will initially house representatives from the DTI, Cooperative Development Authority, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Social Security System, Pag-Ibig Fund and the Board of Investments, he said.
Although opened five days a week, representatives from these government agencies will all be around only during Tuesdays and Thursday in the center's initial operations, Dillera said.
Other Nerbac centers are in Davao and Cebu.
Dillera said the regional Trade department hopes that Nerbac will be integrated in the Philippine Business Registry. The registry offers online business registration and investment information center.
Nerbac was created through Republic Act 7470 to lessen red tape in the government's investment generation and promotion thrusts.
Trade Secretary Peter B. Favila, who was designated by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the "anti-red tape czar," said in an earlier statement that Nerbac "shall cut red tape and create more investments in the countryside."
"It is a pioneering project providing a single entry point for investors on comprehensive and highly integrated business support by pooling government resources in one-stop express business center," the secretary said.
Favila said that Nerbac offers a myriad of government services for start-up and expanding business including business licensing and registration, knowledge and information management, and proactive investment marketing. (BSS)
