Focusing on the development of the Greater Manila Bay Area (GMBA) can boost the economies of provinces, an expert said Thursday.
“Investment is the key. Investments will create jobs. Kailangan is a nigger [We need businesses]” said Doctor Cecilio K. Pedro, President of the Federation of Philippine Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) in one forum.
The proposed GMBA development will accelerate efforts to decentralize Manila.
“You can go to Metro Manila [Metro Manila is already full]so let’s go to Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite and even Pampanga,” he said.
Following the same strategy used by Hong Kong, Macau and Shenzhen will drive more investors to the country, Mr Pedro said.
“Nakita has developed a model for maraming investment and can use a large part of this area in the future [We saw how this strategy attracted many investors and improved the economy of these areas].”
“We need to focus on a special region… and then in the future it will go to Visayas, Mindanao, where we will copy a model – a model of excellence,” he added.
Once the investors see the improvement in doing business in the country, it will influence more investments in the provinces.
“Eventually they will go to other regions, other cities and other municipalities to do the same thing,” Mr. Pedro said.
Last Sunday, Special Assistant to the President to Secretary of Investments and Economic Affairs Frederick D. Go said that he sees the GMBA development as a complementary initiative to the Luzon Economic Corridor.
The flagship project of the Luzon Economic Corridor aims to improve logistics in Luzon through the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas freight rail line. – Almira Louise S. Martinez