Japan projects in PH will be free from delays: Duterte

Roque said that Duterte welcomed partnerships between and among the Philippine conglomerates and Japanese conglomerates for infrastructure and trade. (RENE LUMAWAG/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte has assured Japanese conglomerates that their projects in the Philippines would be free from bureaucratic delays, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this statement after Duterte met with Philippine and Japanese conglomerates at the Malacañang in a courtesy call Wednesday.

During the courtesy call, Philippine conglomerates discussed competitiveness and macroeconomic fundamentals, infrastructure and innovation matters to Duterte.

“He (Duterte) pledged his commitment to ensure that Japan projects will receive attention, free of bureaucratic delays whether government to government or business to business,” Roque said.

Roque said that Duterte welcomed partnerships between and among the Philippine conglomerates and Japanese conglomerates for infrastructure and trade.

“He supports a market drive economy and he wants his government to be fair and effective,” Roque added.

Roque, meanwhile, noted that Duterte also thanked Japan for their support to his government programs and to the humanitarian assistance they have extended to Filipinos.

Duterte was joined by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea during the courtesy calls.

The Philippine conglomerates were composed of representatives from Aboitiz & Company, Inc.; A Brown Company, Inc.; Jollibee Foods Corporation; DMCI Holdings Inc.; JG Summit; First Pacific Company; International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI); Double Dragon Properties; BDO Unibank Inc.; LT Group, Inc.; and Eton Properties Philippines, Inc.

The President likewise met with Japanese conglomerates as well as representatives of the Philippine-Japan Economic Cooperation (PHILJEC) to tackle infrastructure programs.

Present during the meeting were Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda, Marubeni Corporation Chairman Teruo Asada, Mitsubishi Corporation Chairman Ken Kobayashi, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) International Division Manager Masazumi Nishizawa, and Japan Airlines Chairman Masaru Onishi.

Also present were JCCI Secretary General Hidekazu Oshita, PHILJEC outgoing Chairman Aniceto Saludo, PHILJEC incoming Chairman Gerard Sanvictores, ANA Holdings Senior Vice President Koji Shibata, and Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines (JCCIPI) President Hiroshi Shiraishi. (PNA)