President Benigno Aquino III INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday invited Filipino-Chinese businessmen to invest in the tourism, infrastructure and agriculture sectors here, saying they stood to profit in the areas as much as the people they employed.
Speaking at the 7th Biennial Convention of the Chinese Filipino Business Club at the Manila Hotel, President Aquino said his administration would focus this year in spending its money in the infrastructure, tourism and agriculture sectors identified by his officials as “the ones that can provide the most employment for those in the margins of society.’’
“They are also sectors that offer plenty of opportunities for businesses like you to enter,’’ the President said, adding that this year’s national budget had been aligned to provide “massive support’’ for the three sectors.
“And I invite all of you to capitalize on these opportunities, while at the same time taking a larger role in creating jobs and helping stimulate the economy,’’ Aquino said.
The infrastructure, tourism and agriculture sectors have been performing very well for the past years, according to President Aquino.
He disclosed that tourist arrivals rose from 3.52 million in 2010 to 3.917 million in 2011, an increase of 11 percent.
With the government now pitching a new tourism slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,’’ the Chief Executive said, he expected a further increase in tourist arrivals.
President Aquino said his government aimed to bring in 10 million tourists by the time he stepped down in 2016 through a massive tourism campaign and the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1.
President Aquino said investors were needed to keep train system in and around Metro Manila going.
He said the agriculture sector was “looking much better’’ now and his administration has raised the budget for agriculture spending by 50 percent more.
“Getting involved now will give your companies plenty of opportunities to profit, and the psychic returns go on top of the monetary gains,’’ he said. “It is indeed a win-win solution: you will profit, and at the same time allow our people to live even more dignified lives through the jobs that will be generated.”