PCCI seals investment promotion and policy
formulation deal with Mindanao agency
PARAΓAQUE CITY, Oct. 28 (PIA) – A joint agreement
aimed to promote investments and formulate policy agenda that will enhance the
business climate and competitiveness of Mindanao was signed Tuesday between the
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Mindanao Development
Authority (MinDA) during the 41st Philippine Business Conference (PBC) held
here at the Marriott Grand Ballroom.
The PCCI is the country’s largest business
organization, while MinDA is a sub-national government agency mandated to
promote, coordinate, and facilitate socioeconomic development in Mindanao.
“We commit to work together to encourage
investments in Mindanao and enhance further the competitiveness of key sectors
in efforts to facilitate a more business-conducive environment in the
island-region,” said Secretary Luwalhati R. Antonino, MinDA chairperson.
She added the partnership will also focus on the
conduct of policy dialogues on prevailing concerns affecting Mindanao’s
business sector, specifically those that involve PCCI local chambers, industry
key stakeholders, and trade associations.
“Our goal is to develop and implement trade and
investment promotion activities such as business matching sessions, exchange of
information, and market analysis that will support investment generation in
Mindanao.
The deal also aims to strengthen the conduct of
the Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon), the annual gathering of the
biggest business players in the region and enhance further the participation of
Mindanao in the BIMP-EAGA.
BIMP-EAGA
stands for Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia the Philippines East ASEAN
Growth Area, an initiative launched in 1994 as a key strategy to accelerate
social and economic development of less developed areas in participating
countries.
“In formulating the detailed work program for the
agreement, a technical working group will be organized and represented by PCCI
and MinDA,” said Antonino.
She added that training and other
capacity-building activities will be conducted among the members of the
technical working group to strengthen knowledge and expertise in trade
promotion and investment generation.
Antonino said the PCCI and MinDA have been closing
working for several years now in rallying Mindanao policy recommendations
through the MinBizCon. Among these policy recommendations include the
modernization of Mindanao’s agri-based industries, strengthening of the
region’s logistics, power sector, infrastructure, tourism, and natural resource
management.
In a news statement, PCCI President Alfredo M. Yao
said the 41st Philippine Business Conference focuses building strategies
between the government and the business sector to intensify strategic synergies
and alliances that would build and strengthen competitiveness in an integrated
global marketplace.
“The PCCI recognizes the tremendous potentials of
Mindanao particularly its role in the development of the local economy, export
growth, jobs creation, and overall international competitiveness of the
country,” he added.
Yao said Mindanao’s strength in agriculture and
agribusiness and its burgeoning business process outsourcing are among those
that will attract investments in the region, along with the emerging industries
such as construction, infrastructure, creative industries, and research and
development.
He added that this year’s business gathering,
which focused on the theme “One. Global. Filipino: Synergies in Partnership for
Global Competitiveness.” highlighted the success stories and global and
regional trends on business competitiveness, including strategies for business
and economic growth, developing a world-class infrastructure and advancing
international trade partnerships.
The PBC is the annual gathering and dialogue of
policymakers in the Executive and Legislative branches of government and of
decision makers in Philippine business. (MinDA/PIA-Caraga)
DTI AgNor resolves 60 consumer complaints
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 28 (PIA) - As the nation celebrates the Consumer Welfare
Month this October, the Department of Trade and lndustry (DTI) Agusan del Norte
Provincial Office once again encourages consumers to exercise their right to
redress in case of any defective product or service or any misrepresentation
encountered in buying their needs in the market. For this, DTI highlights its
continuing efforts to protect consumers through the resolution of complaints
filed with the Department.
For the period January to September 2015, a total
of 60 consumer complaints were resolved through mediation and facilitation of
store Ievel resolution. Most of the complaints involve defective products,
violation of warranty, deceptive sales acts, and imperfect service of repair
shops, among others.
On the other hand, complaints not falling within
the jurisdiction of DTI are properly referred to the right agency such as the
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for complaints involving
telecommunication companies, the LTO for those involving motor vehicle
registration, the Department of Energy for those involving petroleum products
and electricity, and to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) for complaints filed
by air passengers.
The other agencies that are implementing the
Consumer Act include the DOH-Food and Drug Administration for food, drugs,
cosmetics and devices; the Department of Agriculture for agricultural products;
and LGU Treasurer's Office for weights and measures.
lt is also noted that the DTI Agusan del Norte
Provincial Office was able to resolve 90 consumer complaints for the year 2014.
(DTI-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
