PEZA inviting Middle East investors to explore opportunities in PHL

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is encouraging investors from the Middle East to explore opportunities in the country. (Photo: Charito Ching Plaza/Facebook)

MANILA—The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is encouraging investors from the Middle East to explore opportunities in the country.

PEZA Director General Charito Plaza has ended the investment promotion in Middle East on Thursday, Feb. 16, visiting Riyadh, Dubai, and Qatar.

Qatari writer Ashraf Siddiqui told PNA that during the investment roadshow, Plaza highlighted sectors which Middle East investors can explore in PEZA zones including agro-industrial, agro-forestry, tourism, mineral processing, defense industries, renewable energy, halal products, free trade zones and logistic parks, and island cities concept of investment.

Plaza told businessmen the various government incentives if they locate in PEZA economic zones.

The PEZA chief likewise mentioned the Duterte administration’s effort to cut red tape in order to make the country more attractive to investors.

During the last leg of investment roadshows in Qatar, Plaza met Qatar’s Minister of Economy and Commerce, Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, and Minister of Energy and Industries Dr. Mohammed Saleh Abdulla Al Sada.

Plaza said Qatari businessmen are interested in investing in the country’s energy sector.

Plaza told reporters earlier that a company in the Middle East is eyeing to put up an oil refinery and depot in the Philippines.

PEZA’s investment promotion in the Middle East is in preparation for President Rodrigo Duterte’s planned state visit to the region in the first quarter of this year.