Cebu eyes Chinese region as model in economic development

CEBU, Philippines – The Province of Cebu wishes to make Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, being the gateway ASEAN countries to China as its model in the economic development.

"We find several similarities between Guangxi and Cebu because we are right here at the center of the archipelago and so this naturally makes us the most accessible entry point from the other islands and the other provinces of the country as well with our international airport and international port make us a most ideal entry point of China and the rest of the Asean countries into the Philippines," Governor Gwendolyn Garcia told reporters yesterday.

Guangxi Zhuang's geographical position vis-a-vis the rest of China and rest of ASEAN counties is most advantageous. The countries of Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma and Laos lie along its boarders and it has a world class international port that opens up China to the rest of the ASEAN countries like the Philippines and even Japan, Korea and India.

Being the recognized official gateway of China to ASEAN and vise versa, this has spurred the economic growth of Guangxi to phenomenal level even higher than the national growth at 10.4 percent. Guangxi's growth rate is at 13.79 percent.

Garcia said Cebu province is also experiencing a growth rate higher than the national average.

"The similarities, geographically and even economically, in terms of growth rate are most striking and that has opened up the most attractive possibility of following in the footsteps of Guangxi for Cebu," the governor said.

Garcia said during her meeting with Governor Ma. Biao of Guangxi Zhuang in China last week, the latter mentioned the need for Cebu to develop a new international port that would have the wider capacity of cargo handling.

Biao promised to send a delegation of experts on port development that would look into possible areas that may be developed in the international port for Cebu. (FREEMAN)