DTI holds IPP roadshow

Manila, Philippines -  The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is holding a roadshow to roll out the 2012 Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) and inform investors of opportunities in key areas of the economy.

Trade Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio said in a telephone interview that the roadshow is being held to inform the public of the 2012 IPP and to allow them to explore opportunities for investments in the country.

“The IPP is finalized so we are bringing it to the different cities in the country,” he said.

“In the roadshow, the general principles of the IPP are going to be explained to the people,” he added.

A published notice showed that the roadshow, which started in Dipolog City last week, will continue next week until the second week of October in the following cities: Naga, Butuan, Baguio, Tacloban, Bacolod, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran and Pasay.

The 2012 IPP which identifies activities that can enjoy incentives from the government was approved by President Aquino in June.

This year’s list retained all the preferred activities in the 2011 IPP with the addition of iron and steel and hospital or medical services.

Other preferred activities under the 2012 IPP are agriculture or agribusiness and fishery, creative industries or knowledge-based services, shipbuilding, mass housing, energy, infrastructure, research and development, green projects, motor vehicles, strategic projects, as well as disaster prevention, mitigation and recovery projects.

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects, which were part of the preferred activities of the 2011 IPP, were lumped together with infrastructure activities in this year’s list.

Tourism, which was also listed as one of the preferred activities in the 2011 IPP was placed under the mandatory list of this year’s IPP.

The mandatory list covers activities that require their inclusion in the IPP as provided for under existing laws.

Earlier, Trade Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. said the DTI is looking to tighten rules for giving incentives to ensure that the government gets value for the perks provided to investing firms.

The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the 2012 IPP have yet to be released but a source said this may be issued within the next two weeks.