This might help revive manufacturing in the country...

PCCI seeks to lift constraints to inclusive growth


by Bernie Magkilat
December 12, 2013

(edited)


Atty. Miguel Varela, President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that while the economy is riding high with more than 7% in GDP growth over the last three quarters and industry sector experiencing gradual revival, decisive action is needed to keep the momentum going.


Varela also mentioned that the issue of rising cost of fuel and electricity was an annoying issue, but the core issue to be resolved was to ensure the adequacy, reliability and reasonable pricing of energy.

“It may be high time that government aggressively promote exploration for indigenous sources of fuel and in the process address how to make it attractive to bring in investors, mainly with the issue of business permitting and licensing taking from more than a hundred to a thousand,” he said.

The rate increase by Meralco, he said, would hurt consumers, and, particularly in the emergency meeting of PCCI on the Meralco rate increase issue, the exporters were among the most vocal about the impact on their competitiveness in the global market.

“Open access, which has earlier been touted as something that could help large users, will not be much help as there is not enough power supply, a situation that has come to the fore with the latest increase in rates,” he said.

The coming year, he said, is critical year for action that requires decisive movement on a variety of issues.

First is the sense of urgency to rebuild the cities and towns in the Visayas where damage to infrastructure and livelihood, not to mention loss of lives caused by an earthquake and a super typhoon has run up to the billions.

He mentioned a huge investment that signified the increased confidence by foreign investors.

“We are excited about the incoming $5B investment of the Dubai-based Kampac Group headed by Mr. Charles Ampofo,” he said.

Kampac will be building an “Energy City” in South Luzon, which is estimated to employ between 8,000 and 10,000. It is a strategic project that should be able to help build fuel reserves.

He also noted the renewed interest especially among the Japanese in Philippine manufacturing.

“ This was made possible because the Japanese wants to have a more diversified production base and given the high tension between Japan and China and the high rising cost of living in China, Indonesia and Thailand,”

As an aid to inviting more big ticket investments, Varela cited the launching of industry roadmaps which envisions globally competitive manufacturing industry with strong forward and backward linkages.

The resulting globally-competitive manufacturing industries would increase industry contribution to 30 percent of total value added and 15 percent of total employment.

“Supported by a strong parts and components sector and inputs from productive agriculture sector as well as well managed supply chains, our country is expected to play a vital role in the regional and international production networks of companies engaged in automotive, electronics, garments and good,” he said.
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