ILOILO CITY, Philippines (PIA) - National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) - 6 Regional Director Ro-Ann Bacal sees bright prospects for business in Western Visayas this year, a view likewise shared by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Director Dominic Abad and Iloilo Business Club Executive Director Ma. Leah Lara. Bacal said there are players in the business and industry sectors who have signified their interest to put in new or more investments in the region.
She also based her assessment on upbeat sentiments expressed by local government chief executives in recent consultations and dialogues. Said potential investors, Bacal said, are particularly interested in the region's tourism, agribusiness, and energy sectors. She also attributed Western Visayas' bright business potentials to the economic resiliency of the region which was proven during the global economic crisis. The region, said Bacal, "was not so much affected by the crisis because its economy was not dependent on exports, plus the fact that the local sugar and mining sectors did very well." For his part, Abad said that in addition to two existing information technology (IT) centers, the region is still capable of taking in more business process outsourcing (BPO) companies providing voice support and non-voice support services. He believes that the region can also effectively provide legal, medical transcription and accounting services.
