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PHL open for business —Duterte

By JOHN TED CORDERO, GMA News

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Upon his arrival from his first international trip as the country's chief executive, President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said the Philippines is open for business.

The President said, this is his overall message at the recently concluded Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Laos.

The President noted that he "took the opportunity to address the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit" of the country's openness for businesses.

"My message is clear: The Philippines is open for business," Duterte said in his arrival speech at the Davao International Airport.

"My administration will do its part in providing an environment for businesses to thrive and prosper including micro, small, and medium enterprise," he added.

"On the illicit drugs trade, I underscored the Philippines’ grave concern over social illness that breeds corruption at the highest levels, tears apart the fabric of our society, and debases human dignity," Duterte said in his arrival speech in Davao.
 
"I said our campaign against illegal drugs will be relentless and it will be comprehensive, encompassing suppression, prosecution, and rehabilitation. All these measures are within the bounds of our laws. I called on greater cooperation in the region, particularly in the capacity building and law enforcement efforts," he said.
 
Duterte arrived in Davao eight days after his hometown was rocked by a power explosion that killed 14 people and injured 70 others.
 
Ease of doing business
 

Meanwhile, among the programs to be implemented by the Duterte administration to ensure a sound environment for businesses are improving ease of doing business by simplifying procedures in registration, licenses, and permits; and tax reforms such as reducing corporate and personal income tax.

Sought for comment, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Honorary Chairman and COO Donald Dee said that PCCI welcomes the president's remarks.

"The government is doing its part as can be seen, we are simplifying our processes in doing business," Dee said.

On August 30, the departments of Trade and Industry, Interior and Local Government, Information and Communication Technology, and the National Competitiveness Council signed an order requiring all cities and municipalities in the country to streamline business permits and licensing system using revised standards.

The streamlined licensing system will cut processing time to two days for new business registrations and 1 day for renewals.

The number of steps for registration was also set at a maximum of three steps for both new applicants and renewals. — VVP, GMA News

The President noted that he "took the opportunity to address the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit" of the country's openness for businesses.

Tags: business, economy
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