THE country's fast growing economy and the brand of governance of the present administration makes the Philippines the best place to invest in Asia.
This was the assurance of Philippine Export Zone Authority Director General Charito Plaza in presenting the opportunities of investment in economic zones in the country during the Luzon Ecozone Summit at Prince Plaza Hotel.
Plaza reported the Philippines has the fastest growing economy in Asia with the highest Gross Domestic Product at 6.63 percent. With the over 100 million population, the country also has the youngest median age of working population at 23.5 years old.
The country also has an advantage in terms of labor force, given the high literacy rate of 94.6 percent. Filipino workers are proven hardworking and easier to train.
Aside from having good investment confidence rating from known international rating firm, the country also crafted investor – friendly policies and programs.
Plaza pointed out the country has a better investment opportunity since President Rodrigo Duterte is very sincere and aggressive in inviting the whole world to do business in the Philippines.
“We are fortunate we have a President who is really sincere in looking after the welfare of the people in terms of alleviating poverty and development of communities, especially in the countryside and who would want this country to become very safe, peaceful and developed,” she said.
For 2016, Plaza disclosed that PEZA handled $47.96 billion in export with 3,916 locators and over 1.3 million employment generation.
As PEZA works as a one –stop –shop for building and occupancy permits, import and export permits, as wel as online import and export procedures and e – payment system, Plaza assured that there is no red tape, no graft and no corruption in PEZA.
“PEZA is your agent or broker for investment and we primarily work for creating jobs, livelihood and income for Filipinos in the countryside,” Plaza stressed.
The Luzon Ecozone Summit was the third after Mindanao and Visayas. PEZA would soon be crafting the Philippine Economic Zone Map where they hope to include all potential land/areas for economic zones and all forms and types for promotion to new investors worldwide and to expansion projects of present industries in the country. (Carlito Dar/PIA-CAR)