LONDON – Trade secretary Ramon Lopez on Saturday encouraged Filipinos in the United Kingdom to invest in the Philippines to take advantage of the growing economy.
Lopez is currently in London to attend a high-level Philippine economic briefing scheduled to begin on Sept. 25. Before the briefing, Lopez met with Filipino businessmen in the UK during a forum called “Usapang Negosyo, Trabaho, Kabuhayan (Business, Employment, Livelihood Talk).”
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the government made opening businesses easier with programs such as the establishment of one negosyo center per municipality allowing growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“We believe that MSME development, ‘yung pagtulong sa mga maliliit [na business], creating livelihood not only for themselves but for other people, ito yung solusyon ng poverty sa atin,” Lopez said.
Foreign investment numbers “are very encouraging”, he added.
Filipinos in the UK should “reinvent themselves,” said Ambassador Antonio Manuel Lagdameo during the forum.
“We want Filipino workers and even those who are already residents and citizens to become entrepreneurs both here and back home,” Lagdameo said.
Filipinos abroad can invest in many type of businesses such as franchising which can give higher success rates and good return of investment, said Bibingkininatan founder and president of the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) Richard Sanz. (ABS-CBN News)
