City calls for more investments, organizes business forum

A business forum that will present snapshots of the diverse investment opportunities in Puerto Princesa will be hosted on September 25 in Metro Manila by the private sector, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the city government.

A press statement prepared on behalf of the office of Mayor Lucilo Bayron by MG Asia Public Relations, Inc. said it will be held at the Luzon/Visayas Ballroom of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City.

The forum will have the theme “Puerto Princesa. Your Investment. Our Commitment”.

The statement said taking the stage are some of the country’s business movers and shakers such as Jeffrey Ng, president of Astoria Hotels and Resorts Group and current chairman of the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA); Maximo Ricohermoso, president of MCPI Carrageenan Corporation; Kimpearl Licup, managing director of Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa in Puerto Princesa, Haidee Enriquez, vice president for operations of the Sitel Group; Quintin Pastrana, president of WEnergy Power Pilipinas Inc.; and Bobby Castro, chairmn of the Palawan Chamber of Commerce.

“Puerto Princesa has multiple competitive advantages. It is strategically located within the growth corridor of the BIMP-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), with global connectivity through its new international airport (it has direct flights to South Korea, Taiwan, and mainland China) and a seaport that is currently undergoing modernization,” the statement said.

It said it is an economic growth hub of Region IV-B with its rich natural resources, fertile fishing grounds and vast tracts of land available for development that provides a wide range of possibilities for agri-fishery processing, logistics, industry and services, leisure and living.

It added that the city remains an attractive tourism draw to both local and foreign travelers, with visitor traveler increase of 25 percent in 2018 from 2017.

Around 75 percent of visitors to Palawan go to Puerto Princesa City as it is home to the world-famous Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as a full “mountain-to-sea” ecosystem, and one of the most important forests in Asia.

“Puerto Princesa enjoys the enviable position as the country’s cruise capital with a growing number of world-renowned luxury ships dropping anchor,” the statement claimed.

Forming part of the Philippines’ last frontier, huge investment opportunities abound to make Puerto Princesa the leading city in renewable energy across the country.

Its rich pool of human resource is complemented by competencies in various academic and technical fields, it said.

The press statement also said that under the USAID’s Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project, the city government has instituted sound business reforms and a better environment for investments.

It has also strengthened its public-private sector collaboration that is essential for the city to sustain local economic growth and development.

The Puerto Princesa City Business Forum’s goal is clear-cut – provide a smooth runway for investments in the city. It seeks to attract investors who are ready to seize the tremendous opportunities and take part in the city’s ongoing economic expansion.

Slots to the September 25 forum are limited. For further inquiries, contact the Puerto Princesa City Business Forum Secretariat at mobile numbers 0917.8128735 / 0917.8274518, or e-mail ppcbusinessforum@gmail.com

The Puerto Princesa City Business Forum is supported by SM Prime Holdings Inc., Astoria Palawan, Seaoil Foundation, Yamang Bukid Farm, and Stellar Grounds Puerto Princesa.

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