Noy: Investors keen on Phl

MANILA, Philippines - A number of businessmen from Indonesia and Singapore have expressed interest to invest in the Philippines and were closely watching the developments and policies of the government, President Aquino said.

Aquino arrived from Singapore Friday night on board a Philippine Airlines flight.                                                                              

He went to Indonesia and Singapore on state visits meant to encourage investments in the country and improve ties with member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The President said various business leaders in Indonesia have expressed interest in investing in the country.

“The groups of Salim, Lippo, Bakrie, Barito Pacific, and many others, all these taipans are ready to put up businesses in the country. Many businessmen expressed interest in various sectors, especially in tourism,” he said.

Aquino said Singapore also expressed optimism with the direction of his administration.

“It will be difficult to cite one by one the long list of interested investors from Singapore. They are ready to take part in the Public Private Partnerships, especially after the reforms we have started, and will continue, were explained to them. They are convinced of the steps we are taking to stamp out corruption, promote fair competition and do away with changing regulations that used to drive away business people,” he said.

The President said businessmen in Singapore have deep interest in the tourism and energy sectors.

He said investors from both countries are more encouraged with the impending implementation of the pocket open skies policy.

“This means we will no longer make visitors pass through an eye of the needle just to get here. A lot more airplanes will land in our airports, the number of which we will also increase,” Aquino said.

“We will not fail to reciprocate what they have shown us. I tasked our economic managers to form a trade and investment mission to meet with the investors so the economy will improve much faster,” he added.