A group of businessmen from the Middle East visited Iloilo and two other provinces in Western Visayas to explore trade and investment opportunities.

Nine Arab businessmen were in the Philippines from July 9 to 16, 2019.

The visit was organized by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA). It was aimed at encouraging the investors to put up businesses, especially in the country’s economic zones.

PEZA’s Joseph Timothy Rivera said investors within the economic zones enjoy incentives provided by law.

The Arab businessmen went to Iloilo, Guimaras, Antique, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Pampanga, and Bataan, among others.

“It’s in support to Administrative Order No.18 s. 2019 of the President (Rodrigo Duterte) to bring the developments outside,” Rivera said.

Those Arab businesses, according to Rivera, are into retail, agro-industrial, electronics, and real estate development.

PEZA is planning to bring another set of Arab investors to the country in September and November this year.IMT