Business groups express support for Puerto Princesa City’s investment forum

On July 27, USAID’s Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project organized a meeting with the Puerto Princesa City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, City Government Economic and Investment Office and the Department of Trade and Industry to map out Puerto Princesa City’s vision of boosting local and international investments to improve the local economy. USAID/SURGE encouraged stronger private sector participation in expanding and diversifying investments in the city. The project is providing technical assistance to the city government’s preparations for the Puerto Princesa City Investment Forum slated early next year. The city's preferred investments are in the areas of tourism (medical tourism, destinations, convention centers, and accommodations), agriculture (production, fish processing and fish port, SME development and related facilities), infrastructure (telecommunications, road and real estate development) and education. Aside from offering incentives to new businesses, the city streamlined its permits and business transactions, engaged into partnerships for sewerage/septage services, identified investable real properties and collaborated with key utilities to encourage the entry or expansion of businesses in the city.