PCCI draws up proposals for economic summit

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has drawn up a list of resolutions that it hopes government will address in the forthcoming National Economic Summit, PCCI president Miguel Varela said yesterday.

Varela said the resolution will be formally drawn up during the 27th Philippine Business Conference on Nov. 14 to 16.

"The PCCI recommendations are doable but should be time-bound so that the PCCI could monitor government’s action," he said.

Among the PCCI resolutions is for the government to address the peace and order situation. "The business sector is very concerned (with the peace and order situation)," Varela said, adding that "a negative peace and order situation deters business."

Varela said government cannot attract business and investors "if there is fear."

The PCCI is also urging government to complete its computerization of business- related procedures.

He said most transactions in government agencies are subject to long processing time because records are manually filed and checked.

The delay in dealing with government agencies adds to the cost of doing business.

PCCI said computerization of government records will make the bureaucracy more efficient.

Another area which the PCCI believes should be given importance by the government is infrastructure development.

The PCCI is also asking the government to fasttract innovative financing schemes for small- and-medium enterprises and farmers.