Apec event hosted by PH to spur, empower local economies–DFA

DFA spokesperson Charles Jose. Photo by Nestor Corrales/INQUIRER.net

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Philippines — The ongoing Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) hosted by the Philippines will “spur and empower local economies” to be centers for development.

Charles Jose, spokesman of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday that the Apec event to be held in key cities and places in the country would boost tourism, promote business and investments in the region.

“By hosting the Apec in various provinces, we highlight local communities to spur economic growth and promote tourism,” Jose said at the sidelines of the Apec Senior Officials’ Meeting.

He said developing cities outside Metro Manila would “ultimately decongest” the country’s  capital.

“That is why we want to promote the regional cities so that when they become regional centers for investment, they would develop economically and people would be able to find jobs (in the province) and would not need to go to Mannila,” Jose said

“Ultimately that would lead to decongesting Metro Manila by developing cities outside,”  Jose added.

Aside from Clark, key cities and places in the country that will host Apec events include Cebu, Iloilo and Boracay in a bid to boost the inclusive growth policy of the government.

“Inclusive growth forms part of our national economic priorities, and we are dovetailing these priorities with Apec,” he said.

Since January 26, the various technical groups, committees and senior officials of the 21-member economies of Apec have met to discuss initiatives, policies and capacity-building that advances Apec’s objectives.

The Apec Senior Officials’ Meeting is being held at the Clark and Subic freeport zones from Jan. 26 to Feb. 7.

Apec has 21 member economies, which includes Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Republic of the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.