Welcome Remarks at the Central Luzon Investment Coordinating Council (CLICC) Investment Seminar on Investment Opportunities in Central Luzon

18 May 2006

Renaissance Harbor View Hotel, Hong Kong SAR

Gov. Joson, Undersecretary Hernandez, Central Luzon Investment Coordinating Council (CLICC) delegates, members of Philippine Association of Hong Kong and Philippine Bankers Club, colleagues in the Philippine Consulate, good evening.

First of all, let me congratulate the CLICC, headed by Gov. Joson for organizing and hosting tonight’s event.  I also would like to thank the PAHK and the Philippine Bankers Club for their support, in being here tonight.

I take this opportunity to highlight CLICC’s initiative and efforts in aggressively promoting trade and investments to the Philippines through their Balik Central Luzon Program in general and through this seminar in particular.

We are aware that investments are important to the growth of our country, and eventually, our development as a nation.  In this regard, Central Luzon region has long been a catalyst in the economic development of the country.  This region, aside from its prominence in our history, is also the rice-basket of the Philippines, with its verdant rice fields and agricultural industries, and has helped our nation’s economy for so long.

Central Luzon still retains this role in the economic life of the Philippines, but in the 21^st Century, this region is playing a new and pivotal part in the continuing development of the Philippines.  The region is home to two special economic zones,  Clark and Subic Bay, formerly US Bases which in the last decade have successfully transformed themselves into major industrial zones.  The region is served by an international airport, the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, which, when connected to the proposed North Rail project, will make it the new gateway to the Philippines for foreign investors.  The region is also serviced by the modern and revamped North Luzon Expressway, which has made travel to and from the region to Metro Manila, faster, safer and more convenient.

With these and other promising developments, truly, the future looks bright for Central Luzon.  It is my pleasure therefore to welcome the members of the Central Luzon Investment Coordinating Council (CLICC) to Hong Kong who will inform us on what is going on in Central Luzon, the prospects and opportunities, and how we Filipinos in Hong Kong can contribute to, not only this region’s growth, but overall, that of the Philippine economy.

Our commitment then is to support the initiatives and projects of CLICC, which we know will benefit not only that region but the entire Philippines, in our goal to become truly competitive in  the global economy.

Again, I welcome you all to this Investment Seminar.