By Lorie A. Cascaro
The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Mindanao, Inc. (JCCMI) aims to invite or recruit 12 Japanese companies this year. This, according to Takuya Nishiyama, vice president for external affairs, said during the 6th general membership meeting cum 2012 Officers and Trustees Induction Ceremony last March 3 at the Apo View Hotel, Davao City.
“Everybody is very aggressive in its mission of investment of Japan,” he told Edge Davao.
The prospective Japanese investors will come from the sectors of manufacturing, agri-business, information technology research and development, and business process outsourcing.
JCCMI aims to urge more investment from Japanese companies by using their own Japanese Chamber broad network from both Japan and overseas, and by accepting more investors from Japan. “Our wish is to contribute to the achievement of peace in Mindanao by creating more job opportunities, promoting technology transfer from Japan and achieving economic growth in the Philippines.”
President Akihiro Ushimaru said he is very confident that he can promote Mindanao especially Davao City as “investment haven to the world.” He noted five competitive points of Davao compared to Manila and Cebu, namely: high purchasing power; well-maintained public safety; high education and competitive workers and laborers; but, lower salary rate compared to Manila; and, good historical background with the Japanese such as abaca plantation.
However, the number of investments in Davao City remains few. “We are far left behind compared to Manila and Cebu in terms of investment from Japanese investors,” Ushimaru said.
Nishiyama said JCCMI has 61 members this year, 12 Japanese companies are located in Davao City, including one in Digos, two big companies in Cagayan de Oro and one in General Santos City.
One of the possible reasons he mentioned was peace and order or the security aspect of the region, such that Mindanao is recognized or misunderstood by Japanese investors as place of terrorism even if Davao City is not. He added the lack of attractive tax exemptions for foreign investors.
“But, one thing about Mindanao, especially Davao, you can say that our place is an ideal place to invest. What the Japanese investors are looking for are already here in Davao,” he said.
Mayor Sara Duterte sent her message to the Japanese chamber, saying the city continues its commitment to make sure to move forward through BAROG, the government’s five-point direction for the city. This stands for barangay empowerment, academics, resource generation, peace and order, and, governance.
“We ‘re taking a stand in making sure Davao City augments the gains of the past and up to our current tourism branding campaign that ‘Life is Here’ for investors, for visitors and for the residents of the city.”
Nishiyama said for their part, JCCMI will have a particular advocacy program to help remove the stereotyped image of Davao City to foreign investors such as promoting tourism. “Tourism is not only for the resorts, but for the conventions, meetings, and then investments,” he added.
As to tax incentives, Mayor Duterte assured the JCCMI that Davao City Investment Incentives Board will be finalizing the amendments of the city’s investment incentive code. And, the list of priorities includes agri-business; tourism and recreational facilities; light manufacturing and assembly; property development; health and wellness; educational and sports facilities; environmental protection project; information and communication technology; generation of new sources of energy; transportation and infrastructure; and, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects.
