PCCI lauds Noynoy's economic team

MANILA, Philippines - The economic team of President Aquino can help the country attract more investors because its members have proven track records in their own areas of expertise, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said.

In a statement, the PCCI said President Aquino’s choices for the heads of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and Department of Agriculture (DA) would boost business and investor confidence as they are noted to have vast experience in providing long-term policy solutions and sound advice on issues such as the budget deficit, revenue collection, infrastructure development, bureaucratic red tape and corruption.

“PCCI is indeed pleased with the roster of the President Aquino’s economic team.  It is our great desire to work closely with them to ensure that the interest of the private sector, more so the small and medium entrepreneurs are reflected on the table,” PCCI president Francis Chua said.

The largest business organization in the country has pledged its support for President Aquino’s economic team, citing the group’s track record in managing the country’s foremost economic and business concerns.

PCCI said they approve of the appointments of NEDA Director General Cayetano Parenga, Jr., Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade Chief Gregory Domingo, BOC Commissioner Lito Alvarez, BIR head Kim Henares, and DA secretary Proceso Alcala.

PCCI has submitted to President Aquino a with list which the group hopes to be addressed in the first one hundred days of the Aquino Administration. These include addressing the deficit problem, curtailing smuggling, assuring consistent investment and business policies to attract and maintain foreign investors, and total eradication of corruption at all levels in government.

“What PCCI submitted to the President is reflective of our strong desire to elevate public-private partnership to a new level.  We hope to further elaborate these specific measures once we jumpstart our discussions and meetings with the economic team,” Chua noted.