Cortes vows to develop a biz-friendly Mandaue

CEBU, Philippines - Responding to the pleas of the business sector to make Mandaue City business friendly, the city government gave its commitment to improve the city’s attractiveness to investors.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes made this pronouncement to the business community recently saying the city is now gearing up to develop a more conducive environment for business.

Sound and business friendly policies are now being implemented to make Mandaue City a preferred investment area.

The Mayor mentioned that the zoning has already started such as the identification of the Central Business District, Mandaue Business quadrant, and Mandaue industrial zoning.

Likewise, Cortes said the city has crafted a new investment code, part of which is providing incentives to businesses that uphold "green initiatives."

Cortes added that the city is also empowering its Investment Board to focus primarily on investment promotion and integration programs. Small and medium businesses on the other hand, shall be given a venue to network and promote their products and services locally and internationally.

In an earlier interview with Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Jeruel Roa, he said that the business sector is strengthening its effort to join hands with the local government of Mandaue.

Roa said MCCI joins Mandaue City government in the program dubbed "Mandaue Talks With Business", an intimate and candid exchange of ideas on issues of concern between government and business.

Roa said the business sector's thrust to be a partner of the government for development in Mandaue will be strengthened, specifically that the Philippines is now eyeing to attract more investors in manufacturing, as well encouraging local capitalists to venture in manufacturing businesses.

"To attract more locators and encourage retention and expansion of present companies, it is important that the quality of services is brought further to global standards," said Roa.

According to Roa, the city government has already enrolled itself in the Performance Governance System of the Institute of Solidarity of Asia to further professionalize the bureaucracy.

"PGS translates statements of governance and vision to actionable strategies and commitments leading to the realization of breakthrough results," he said.

The chamber, on the other hand, is sharing its experience and know-how in systems' improvements with the city government.

This strong partnership between the private sector and the government of Mandaue, is seen to strengthen the economic backbone of the city to face the challenges in competition and bringing businesses towards the goal of becoming leaders of growth in the ASEAN region.  (FREEMAN)