By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is extending its support to the private sector and the local government of Puerto Princesa in the promotion of the capital city of Palawan as the next investment destination.
These groups will host a Business Forum on September 25, 2019 at the Luzon/Visayas Ballroom of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, Pasay City with the theme “Puerto Princesa. Your Investment. Our Commitment.”
The business forum aims to present a snapshot of the diverse business opportunities that make investing in Puerto Princesa City an advantageous choice. The forum seeks to attract investors who are ready to seize the tremendous opportunities and take part in the city’s ongoing economic expansion.
Businessman Jeffrey Ng, chairman of the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA), said he would like to urge other developers to explore the Puerto Princesa for new developments. Ng, also president of Astoria Hotels and Resorts with investment in a new hotel project in Palawan, will deliver the keynote speech. The Board of Investments will also be represented at the forum.
“I will be talking about why we invested in Puerto Princesa City, and our experience and what we’ve done,” he said.
Ng cited Puerto Princesa’s multiple competitive advantages. It is strategically located within the growth corridor of the BIMP-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), with global connectivity through its new international airport (it has direct flights to South Korea, Taiwan, and mainland China) and a seaport that is currently undergoing modernization.
It is an economic growth hub of Region IV-B with its rich natural resources, fertile fishing grounds and vast tracts of land available for development that provide a wide range of possibilities for agri-fishery processing, logistics, industry and services, leisure and living.
Puerto Princesa remains an attractive tourism draw to both local and foreign travelers. It is home to the world-famous Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as a full “mountain-to-sea” ecosystem and some of the most important forests in Asia. It enjoys the enviable position as the country’s cruise capital with a growing number of world-renowned luxury ships dropping anchor.
Forming part of the Philippines’ last frontier, huge investment opportunities abound to make Puerto Princesa the leading city in renewable energy across the country. Its rich pool of human resource is complemented by competencies in various academic and technical fields.
Under the USAID’s Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project, Puerto Princesa’s city government has instituted sound business reforms and a better environment for investments. It has also strengthened its public-private sector collaboration that is essential for the city to sustain local economic growth and development.