BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – A giant Chinese firm will sink in about P100 billion worth of investments here as the city’s new Mayor, Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez continues to go on what seems like a roadshow to drive investors to this urban capital of 600,000 people.
Benitez, who is just more than a month in office, told DNX he had been receiving a lot of courtesy calls from representatives of businesses outside the city.
They have been telling me they want to add to their investments here, he said.
Benitez said China Railways is proposing a project “the size” of a hundred billion.
The China-based firm is interested in coming here, he said, and added “they will arrive here to discuss the project.”
He did not give details.
For him, one of the sectors they are promoting now is the technology industry or ITs.
Benitez said now that the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry has expanded here, City Hall would offer a hand to trainings or man power supply needed by the people.
Instead of just being passive local government,we should also be a pro-active one, promote the city and encourage them to invest, he said.
In an article released by the Philippine News Agency, the Embassy of China said they are open for technical discussions over the G-to-G [government-to-government] projects, and is ready to carry their cooperation forward by working closely with the new administration.
According to the embassy, China has helped the Philippines complete 17 railway projects while more than 20 projects are in progress.