BOI prepares for investment conference, road shows

MANILA, Philippines - The Board of Investments (BOI) is completing preparations for its investment conference InvestMart, and road shows on business opportunities in the country’s different regions this year as it seeks to encourage local investments.

Trade undersecretary Cristino Panlilio said the InvestMart and road shows are part of the government’s efforts to increase domestic investments, even as it is works to attract foreign firms to do business here.

“To complement our strengthened effort to attract foreign investors in the Philippines, we will continue to make parallel efforts to boost domestic investments in the country in 2013,” he said.

Panlilio said preparations for the InvestMart conference and exhibition, which aims to present investment opportunities in the regions would be completed.

He said the government plans to hold the InvestMart with a leading industry association.

“We have also worked with industry players and associations in identifying potential investment areas and sectors for promotion such as the public private partnership (projects), pharmaceuticals, electronics, copper, and auto parts and components,” he said.

He said the BOI is likewise looking to hold more investment road shows this year.

“For this year, we are also targeting 11 investment road shows, which are primarily intended to provide a venue for presentation of the approved Investment Priorities Plan (IPP),” he said.

Last year, the BOI had nine investment road shows.

The road shows were held in Dipolog, Butuan, Baguio City, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City, Naga City, Tacloban, Cebu and Bacolod.

The IPP identifies activities that can enjoy incentives from the government.

Under the 2012 IPP, the following are listed as preferred activities: agriculture, agribusiness and fishery; creative industries or knowledge-based services; shipbuilding; mass housing; energy; infrastructure; research and development; green projects; motor vehicles; strategic projects; disaster prevention, mitigation and recovery projects; iron and steel; and hospital or medical services.