BETTER GOVERNANCE DRIVING GROWTH IN PHL – VP BINAY

Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said Wednesday that the Philippines continues to make “significant strides” in development through better governance and partnerships.

“With President Aquino at the helm, significant strides continue to be made in our journey towards development,” the Vice President said during the opening of the Philippine Corporate and Investment Pavilion (PCI Pavilion) at the SMX Convention Center.

“Our admirable progress as noted by Transparency International, the World Economic Forum and even the U.S. Department of State, spurs us to widen the scope of our efforts and to engage more stakeholders so as to secure endurance and sustainability,” Binay added.

Binay outlined some of the progress in key industries that drive “inclusive growth,” and mentioned the country’s drive to reduce corruption and promote transparency through partnerships with the ADB and civil society organizations.

He said the Philippines remains among the world’s top 10 exporters of tropical fruit like mangoes, bananas, and pineapples, and is currently strengthening the growth of more high-value crops.

The Vice President added that the country is also the 8th largest fish producer in the world.

Binay further said that the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry is rising faster than any other industry.

“We are now No. 1 in voice, No. 2 in non-voice services and we have yet to see this sunrise industry reach mid-day. By 2016 we hope to register $25 billion US dollars in revenues and provide employment to 1.3 million people, with other industries also benefiting from this growth,” he said.

The PCI Pavilion is one of the event highlights of the Philippine hosting of the 45th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The Vice President invited delegates to visit key tourist spots in the country and see for themselves why it is more fun in the Philippines.

“The Underground River in Palawan, one of the World’s New 7 Wonders of Nature, is something you should not miss. Those who yearn for the sea may wish to feel the sugar white sands of Boracay beneath their feet. And for those who prefer to ride waves rather than cause them, our surfing capitol of Siargao does not disappoint the adventurous,” he said.

“Your options are outnumbered only by the smiles of the Filipinos who wish to make your visit a valued one,” he said,

“Our beloved country is often called the Pearl of the Orient but we believe it is so much more. In your brief stay in the Philippines, we invite you to see how several brilliant facets of the same gem, and witness how an emerging economy intends to soar to greater heights,” he concluded.

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