Noli cites China's growing role in global development

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Noli De Castro has cited the growing significance of China’s role in global development.

Speaking during the closing ceremonies of the 10th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention in Pasay City recently, De Castro pointed out that China has produced among its people dynamic and competitive entrepreneurs stationed in almost every corner of the world, particularly countries in Asia.

These strong class of entrepreneurs, De Castro said, is helping nations survive in the global economy.

“Only by being dynamic and competitive can we survive in the global economy today and in the coming years,” he said.

“This will require the development of a strong entrepreneurial class, a dynamic group of businessmen who can take calculated risks in the face of uncertainties from the global economy. A group such as what we have here today,” he added.

De Castro said the economic and financial policymakers of the world have just restated, through various ways, their commitment to sustain their respective stimulus programs until such time that the recovery from the economic crunch is assured.

Since the world cannot rely on state support forever, good entrepreneurs such as the Chinese businessmen have to take over and continue to move economies and the world at large towards recovery, rehabilitation and development.

In the Philippines, De Castro said the Chinese community has a big contribution to the country’s development.

Proof of this, De Castro said, is the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCI) which has a tradition of service to the Filipino nation.

Specifically, De Castro cited that the FFCCCI pioneered the biggest private-sector led development program focused on educational infrastructure, particularly the schoolbuilding program which remains as a foremost model for private-sector support to educational advancement.

“Through the donations of federation officers and members, the FFCCCI was able to build school buildings all over the country at a price that is practically half of what it would cost government to build those schools,” De Castro said.

He mentioned that the federation was one of his partners in the housing sector in providing educational support facilities to the new communities that served as relocation sites for families displaced by the rehabilitation of railroad tracks.

De Castro said the FFCCCI has also been very active in various socio-civic activities, such as the organization of volunteer fire brigade, holding of medical and dental missions to the poor communities, and even the conduct of relief operations during times of calamities.

He said the contribution of the federation to the economy also deserved mention as he reported that the group has been actively working with government to find solutions to major economic problems, particularly those that affect the conduct of business in the country.

“In all honesty, I can say that the Chinese community in the Philippines and the Federation in particular, has become a potent and reliable ally in our quest for national development,” he said.