ILOILO City Mayor Jose Espinosa III encouraged businessmen to re-invest in the metropolis.
“I believe the growth rate of Iloilo City is one of the highest and possibly even higher than that of the country’s that is why I am asking businessmen that you should capitalize on that. If President Duterte says build, build, build; in Iloilo City we should invest, invest, invest,” stressed Espinosa.
He highlighted the city’s potentials during the induction of members of Iloilo City Trade and Investment Promotions Board (ICTIPB) at Hotel Del Rio, March 1.
Espinosa said the City Government is business-friendly and permit renewal and application have been streamlined.
“Iloilo City is now an attraction to foreign investors including British executives who will be here for a Trade Mission on March 8-9, and businessmen in the city should also take the opportunity to re-invest,” he added.
Local Economic and Investment Promotions Office head Ritchel Gavan said Iloilo City has a lot to offer to businessmen and that there is enough power supply, water, connectivity, and accessible to several international flights.
The City Government has incorporated programs on education; manpower and livelihood; business streamlining; tax incentives; utilities; peace and order; anti-corruption; infrastructure; environment; and healthy lifestyle and recreation in promotion of local economic development, said Gavan.
These have augmented and simplified our goal of transforming Iloilo City into a highly competitive and urbanized metropolis, she added.
The City Government has provided several business tax incentives, which include fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.
ICTIPB is co-chaired by Dr. Henry Chusuey with vice chairperson Felix Tiu; directors Alfonso Tan, Sandra Gomez, Felipe Uygongco, Theresa Sarabia, Ronald Sebastian, and Abet Po; and members Rudy Tiu, Vic Tiu, Roberto Uy, Severino Lim, Philippe Chua, Felix Gurrea, Ian Pama, Salvador Sarabia, Donna Ratilla, Rogelio Florete, Adrian Funtelar, Ann Gumban, and Fulbert Woo.
The technical staff includes Gavan, Jose Roni S.J. Peñalosa, and Norman Tabud.
The board’s primary task is to identify and provide solutions or programs, or activities that would ensure the continued influx of investment which would bring about more employment opportunities to the people, and a booming economy. (PR)