Gov’t sets road show in London

THE PHILIPPINES will hold an investor road show this week in London to drum up interest in infrastructure, energy, and tourism opportunities in the country, the Department of Finance (DoF) said in a statement over the weekend.

The Finance department said that Cabinet officials and some lawmakers will “update” British businessmen “on the progress of the Duterte administration’s economic reform agenda, particularly on its Comprehensive Tax Reform Program as well as the performance of the Philippine economy.”

The Philippine Economic Briefing will take place on Sept. 24-26.

It will be the third international road show this year, after the briefing in Tokyo in June and in Beijing in March.

The Philippine delegation will also brief investors on budget, monetary and fiscal sector reforms; and investment opportunities in the government’s infrastructure program — including the flagship New Clark City project that is envisioned to be the country’s next big metropolis and agro-industrial hub — as well as in the energy and tourism sectors.

“Aside from the Philippine Economic Briefing that will showcase investment prospects in the country, the top-level delegation will also take part in a Business Roundtable in London organized by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center to discuss with leaders of British business organizations and other groups the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program of the Duterte administration as well as the role in global trade, and opportunities in the Philippines’ industry, manufacturing and services sectors,” the DoF said in its statement.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III will lead the delegation, along with Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia, Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno, Trade Secretary

Ramon M. Lopez, Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo, Bases Conversion and Development Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Vivencio B. Dizon, Deputy Speaker Pia S. Cayetano and Valenzuela 1st district Rep. Weslie T. Gatchalian. —