The upcoming 49TH Philippine Business Conference (PBC) will still focus on five sectors with a competitive edge such as the demographic dividend, mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism to energize the economy, generate jobs, and contribute to the region's growth, according to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
In his speech during the PBC press conference on Thursday, Oct. 12, PCCI President George T. Barcelon emphasized the PBC's commitment to focusing on the said sectors given their “relatively competitive edge vis-à-vis our neighbors in the region.”
First, Barcelon brought up the demographic dividend that the nation is experiencing, which can boost the economy and support its expansion.
Secondly, PBC will keep working on the mining sector, which can be developed “through a judicious, rational, sustainable and environment-friendly, approach.”
In the agriculture sector, the PCCI is looking forward to the official announcement of the “rumored” new agriculture secretary by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who is invited to join the PBC&E conference, according to the PCCI President.
Lastly, the manufacturing and tourism industries will be included in the priorities of the PBC, discussing the income earners and jobs-generators in the rural areas.
Meanwhile, Barcelon also affirmed that the country will be able to reach the PCCI’s Vision 2050 of reaching the first-world economy for the Philippines “where there is zero hunger, affordable housing, accessible healthcare, human empowerment and human dignity.”
“But this entails accelerating efforts to put the house in order to attract our fair share of foreign investments and expand our export markets, and developing our own natural resources to provide for our people,” he added.