Tuesday, November 14, 2006 Top economist to grace Pampanga trade forum By Albert B. Lacanlale
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- Economist Dr. Bernando M. Villegas will give the Pampanga business community insights on the country's economy in a forum organized by business groups in the province on Wednesday.
Villegas, senior vice president of the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), was invited by the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PamCham), BINI Foundation and the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (MACCII) to provide inputs on potential areas of development and business opportunities in Pampanga and Clark.
The forum, a PamCham statement said, is "right on time", considering the potential for both local and international business as a consequence of the expected influx of economic activities into the province via the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ).
"It is imperative that businesses and the entire community within Pampanga and the outlying areas in the region be supplemented with a realistic perception and expectation of the consequences that these economic activities will undoubtedly entail," PamCham said.
The ongoing infrastructure programs being implemented by the National Government towards the realization of the "Cabalen Legacy" of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are gradually paving the way towards the long anticipated economic growth for the province, the group said.
As announced during her most recent State of the Nation Address, Arroyo declared the Subic-Clark-Tarlac corridor (as being) on its way to becoming a globally competitive logistics center.
This pronouncement by the President has ignited the business sector's excitement on the possible economic boom in this part of the country.
The rehabilitation of the North Luzon Expressway (Nlex), the ongoing construction of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), the advent of the NorthRail, the operation of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) as a premier international airfield and the improved management of the CDC are all projected to catapult Pampanga as the ultimate investment nucleus in Central Luzon.
"Moreover, the technocrats that are now handling key positions in vital government institutions within the Clark Economic Zone, like CDC, Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) and the Subic Clark Area Development Council (SCAD) are true and bonafide Kapampangans of integrity, who only have the interest of the province first and foremost," the group said.
Expected to attend the forum are members of the three organizations, local government units in Pampanga, representatives from various government agencies, local chambers of commerce in North Luzon and various stakeholders in Pampanga.
The economic forum is sponsored by the CDC, Angeles Electric Corporation (AEC), Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Medical Center, Mother Earth Quality Meats and FeedWorld.
