Board of Investments (BOI) will push for more “qualitative” investments instead of “quantitative” investments, particularly in manufacturing, to create more “stable and decent” jobs in the countryside in its 2014 investment drive.
Trade and Industry Undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal Jr., who is also BOI managing head, told reporters that the challenge of the BOI in its 2014 investment campaign to attract more qualitative investments.
“It’s not that we don’t want investments, we’re just shifting more and trying to attract more qualitative investments rather than quantitative to attract decent jobs and create value added so we can generate more jobs,” Cristobal stressed.
He said the sectors that can generate quality investments are the manufacturing, agriculture and logistics.
“The manufacturing sector has been showing double-digit growth in the past two quarters and we would like to boost that to generate more jobs,” Cristobal said.
Investments in the manufacturing sector in 2013 account for only 3 percent or P13.79 billion of the total P403.17 billion approved BOI inflows for the entire year.
On top of the manufacturing sector, the BOI will also push for more investments in the agriculture and logistics sectors.
Investments in these two sectors should help boost and ensure food supply in the countryside.
Cristobal said the investments drive would be supported by the creation of industry roadmaps which will pave the way for more investments in these sectors.
So far, the BOI and the private sector have already 23 roadmaps of which 9 have been presented to the public while the rest are still undergoing refinements by the technical working group.
He said the Industry Development Council is expected to be reinvigorated in the first quarter of next year. The IDC will be the policy-making body that would address policy issues across sectors. The existing IDC Executive Order may be revised or reactivated.
“Of course, we will have roadmaps that are achievable and all factors considered. We’ve gone through quite a rigid process and set our ambitions but they are achievable,” he said.
The most awaited automotive industry roadmap is also expected to come out in March next year.

Source: Manila Bulletin - December 22, 2013