Aquino woos APEC investors

BEIJING – President Aquino urged businessmen here yesterday to invest in the Filipino people and take advantage of a resilient economy backed by reforms.

Speaking before chief executive officers from all over the world ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit here, Aquino said the Philippine government is dynamic and reviewing fiscal incentives, among other rules and regulations, as well as policies and laws to ensure that the country would be more investment-friendly.

He said aside from laying down the foundations for economic growth through good governance, his administration invested heavily in education and other programs that would make Filipinos competitive.

“The key to our remaining competitive is in the direction that we have been taking, which is to utilize our greatest resource... our people. Therefore, investments in our people redound to continued competitiveness and redound further to continued economic growth.”

Angel Gurria, secretary general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, praised Aquino as they sat as panelists at the meeting yesterday.

“We have a very challenging scenario and the question of investment becomes critical – investment and innovation. These are necessary for our competitiveness,” Gurria said.

Before he left for China yesterday, Aquino vowed to show the international community that the Philippines is ready to become a launching pad of sustainable development in the Asia Pacific region.

 He said the APEC summit would be held as the Philippines is experiencing “a positive transformation.”

“As chair and host of APEC next year, we will show our readiness to serve as a launching pad for the growth of our economies towards a widespread and sustainable development,” Aquino said.