22 September 2014 - In conjunction with the visit of President Benigno S. Aquino III to Belgium from September 15 to 17, the Philippine Embassy in Brussels, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Centre organised the Conference on PPP Program for Infrastructure Projects in the Republic of the Philippines on September 16. The Conference, which was held with the support of the EUROCHAMBRES - the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Brussels-based think-tank Friends of Europe, drew more than 70 participants from countries across Europe including Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
President Aquino delivered the keynote address to an audience that included representatives from major companies such as DEME and Jan de Nul; from government, including the European External Action Service, the Directorate-General for Trade, and the Belgian Foreign Trade Office; and from business organisations in the region.
In his speech, the President spoke of his administration’s reforms to uplift the lives of all Filipinos, to improve the business environment in the Philippines such as setting up shop, obtaining business licenses, etc., and to sustain economic growth and development. He also discussed the PPP program of the government in which “ investors can see a clear potential for profitability, so much so that they provide incentives for the government in the form of premiums. The state is thus afforded the best possible bid because of a level playing field, which engenders fair competition amongst interested parties.” He highlighted the continued strong economic growth of the Philippines, adding: “I am confident in telling you: take a look at what we have to offer.. There is indeed a wealth of opportunity in the Philippines, and we hope to forge new partnerships or even broaden the existing ones in the near future—partnerships where all parties involved will benefit, and will contribute to the rise of Asia’s next tiger.”
PPP Centre Executive Director Cosette V. Canilao gave a presentation on the PPP projects being rolled out by the Philippines. DTI Undersecretary Ponciano C Manalo, Jr spoke about the investment opportunities in the country. Also present was Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio A. Abaya, whose department implements many of the PPP projects in the pipeline. Friends of Europe Secretary General Giles Merritt served as moderator for the question and answer portion, while EUROCHAMBRES Secretary General Arnaldo Abruzzini delivered the concluding remarks.
The Conference was followed by a networking session where participants were joined by members of the Philippine business delegation accompanying the President.
The President’s speech at the PPP Conference may be viewed at the following link:
RTVM- Presidential Broadcast Staff Radio Television Malacañang http://rtvm.gov.ph/main/?p=24096. END