New PCCI president upbeat on economic prospects next year

Newly-elected Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Noemi L. Saludo sees positive prospects for the economy next year.

She said the economy this year appeared to have grown well as evidenced by the fact that more companies were able to give bonuses to their workers which, in turn, led to more consumer spending.

The National Economic and Development Authority has estimated gross domestic product (GDP) growth at 4.2 percent this year, or within government targets.

Likewise, Saludo observed, there have been few business closures this year.

For 2004, Saludo said she expects a buoyant economy, particularly in the first half of the year due to the forthcoming national elections.

She pointed out that with the expected election spending by candidates, more work, even in the regions, will be generated.

Saludo, the first female president of the PCCI, wants to leave her mark by adopting a program that would help the chamber’s regional members.

Using her experience as an exporter, Saludo is hoping to implement programs that would help solve the common problem of most producers in the provinces – bringing their products to the metropolitan areas.

For example, Saludo noted, vegetable growers in Nueva Ecija still have to bring their produce to Baguio just to be able to sell them.

Saludo said the PCCI hopes to get the assistance of government financial institutions in putting up a central marketing center in Northern Luzon for vegetable products.

Similarly, Saludo wants the PCCI to help pool local producers of a certain product and market the product under one recognizable brand name similar to what is being done in China, with its well-known pork luncheon meat Ma Ling.

Another project Saludo wants the PCCI to undertake is teaching local producers on how to package their products.