BOAO FORUM President Duterte and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, pose with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, before the opening of the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference inHainan, China. —MALACAÑANG PHOTO
HAINAN, China — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday witnessed the signing of an estimated $9.5 billion worth of investment agreements with Chinese businessmen, which could generate some 10,800 jobs for Filipinos.
The signing of the letters of intent was done on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia, a gathering of world leaders, businessmen and educators.
Trade Undersecretary Rowel Barba noted the letters of intent on behalf of the Philippines. These covered agriculture, tourism, real estate, infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
The President praised the investment pledges as a sign of the “vigorous momentum” of Philippines-China ties.
“Allow me to say that the growing trade and investments reflect the vigorous momentum of the Philippines-China relations and highlighting the Chinese position as our largest trading partner and our largest export market together with Hong Kong,” he said.
Economic cooperation
The President stressed the importance of further developing economic cooperation with China, with the Philippines focusing on agriculture, fisheries, infrastructure and public works, energy, trade, as well as e-commerce, industrial park development, MSMEs (medium, small and micro enterprises), processing, manufacturing and tourism.
“I acknowledge the job opportunities that will be created by Chinese investments now and in the years to come and their role in promoting inclusive growth and encouraging entrepreneurship among Filipinos,” he said.
He stressed that the Philippines on his watch was committed to good government and to improve the business climate in the country.
Business deals between the Philippines and China during the Arroyo administration were marked by corruption.
In the NBN-ZTE broadband network deal, a whistleblower came out to allege that government officials were asking for kickbacks from the project.
Chinese confidence
Barba said the signing of the letters of intent was an indication of the increasing Chinese confidence in the Philippine economy and their belief that the country could sustain its 6.7-percent economic growth for the next five years.
He also said the number of Chinese businessmen formalizing their interest to invest in the Philippines could increase in the coming days, as a delegation is expected to visit the country to explore other businesses.
The biggest planned investment in the Philippines came from the Shangai GeoHarbour Group, which earmarked $3.46 billion for land reclamation, sludge remediation and land development.
The other companies that signed pledges were the Jovo Group Co. Ltd. Guangdong, which wants to build and operate a liquefied natural gas receiving terminal; Zhongfa Group, which seeks to develop large tourism projects, electronic industry parks, and proposes to establish a Philippines-China Trade and Investment Strategic Center; Haocheng Group, which eyes infrastructure and construction projects and thermal power supply.
China Green Agriculture Group, which is seeking opportunities in agriculture and tourism in cooperation with local partner Calata Corp; East Cloud Biz Travel Ltd., which wants to explore tourism sector opportunities; China National Heavy Machinery Corp., which intends to develop a China-Philippines International Techno-Industrial Zone in the Philippines.
Shanghai Shinehigh Biotechnology Ltd. Co. and Zhejiang Dongyang Jinxin Chemical Co. Ltd., which intend to build a pharmaceutical factory processing plant in the Philippines and develop chemical products; and Sino BMG, which intends to establish an aerated concrete block production line.
Before leaving for China on Monday, the President heaped praises on Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying he “simply loves” the Chinese leader and that he “needs” China, which has promised him financial aid.