PGCot to implement investment code to strengthen MSMEs amidst pandemic

Amas, Kidapawan City- The Cotabato Provincial Investment Promotion Center (CPIPC) spearheaded on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 the Exit Conference on Implementing Rules and Regulations of Investment and Incentives Code of Cotabato Province held at the HOF Mansion Inn, Lanao, Kidapawan City.

Way back 2015 when the provincial government crafted the Investment and Incentive Code of Cotabato Province, through Provincial Ordinance No. 565 to attract more investors, local and international, and encourage the growth and development of MSMEs.

Today, the long wait is finally over when the technical working group (TWG) directed by Governor Nancy A. Catamco completed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the said code.During the exit conference, TWG Head Mr. Gaspar I. Llenos presented to the stakeholders the salient features of Executive Order No. 107 – An Order Prescribing the Rules and Regulations Implementing Provincial Ordinance No.565, An Ordinance Providing for the 2015 Appropriating Funds thereof and for other Purposes.

He stressed that the implementation of the investment code will strengthen and promote micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) particularly rural/agri-based enterprises. It can be recalled, that one of the key advocacies of the present administration is to boost the economy of the province by promoting locally-produced products and establishing a fruit processing plant to help local farmers as well.

Co-chairman of Cotabato Investment Board Dr. Ramon Floresta, on the other hand, thanked the provincial government of Cotabato for the initiative and completing the IRR that will help MSMEs especially this time of pandemic where businesses are greatly affected.

Governor Catamco is set to sign the said document.

BM Onofre Respicio, Cotabato MSMEs President Jamewell C. Campollo, Cotabato LIEPO President Jasmin M. Arabis, DTI Provincial Director Ferdinand Cabiles represented by Ms. Cynthia Marcelo, and DOST Provincial Director Michael T. Mayo also joined the said exit conference activity.//idcd-pgo//