Businesses in the metropolis have doubled, according to Iloilo City Trade and Investments Promotions Board (ICTIPB) chairman Felix Tiu.
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| Credits: ExploreIloilo.com |
“In the last four years, I am proud to inform everybody that registered business permits increased from 8,650 in 2010 to 12,009 in 2014. It has increased by almost 50 percent,” stressed Tiu.
“This is the result of massive mapping operation of City Treasurer’s Office and efficiency of Business Permits Licensing System. The implementation of streamlining supported by USAID INVEST Project made a big difference in the increase of registrants and eventually the revenue of City Government,” Tiu said.
“The investments committed to the city by investors are more than P100 billion in the next 10 years. Iloilo is now the hot item in the country thanks to the efforts of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog with the support of Congressman Jerry Treñas and the help of Senate President Franklin Drilon, the developments will keep pouring in,” he added.
Almost all conglomerates have already invaded Iloilo: SM Group is expanding, Megaworld has started, Ayala Group has committed, Gaisano Capital is in, Filinvest is here and many more are coming.
Tiu welcomed the City Hall’s innovations on online business registration, mobile payment system and virtual investment promotions.
“This is a breakthrough in making a positive investment climate in the city making it easier for businessmen to register, which was circuitous before. Now, we have witnessed that wherever the businessman is, he can file his business permit in a one step process,” said Tiu.
“This kind of project will not only help the businessmen to have the convenience in opening a business but will encourage them more to invest. Businessmen will support and sustain this project,” he added.
The endeavor will put Iloilo in the centre stage of a modern city that wants to adapt new invention and innovation to be more efficient and easy to do business with, Tiu said.
“This is a fulfilling project that benefited so many people in terms of jobs creation, ease of doing business and transforms them into productive and hardworking. This is inspiring and encouraging business to open and investors to put their money in a safe and profitable city,” affirmed Tiu.
The initiative is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), academe and business community.
