Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso pitched the City of Manila as a prime destination for American and foreign investment on Thursday, telling representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines that the city will not raise taxes on businesses.
Domagoso made the assurance during a courtesy call by the AmCham Philippines delegation at Manila City Hall, where he outlined his administration’s commitment to keeping the cost of doing business low, streamlining regulatory requirements, and maintaining a predictable business environment.
The mayor told the delegation that his administration’s approach to business governance rests on three commitments: a focus on the Minimum Basic Needs (MBN) platform, the creation of more business opportunities, and the maintenance of rules that are certain and predictable.
“When you pay one peso, you get one peso receipt.”
“When you pay one peso, you get one peso receipt,” Domagoso said, putting front and center his administration’s stance on transparency and accountability in government transactions.
He also cited concrete improvements in the ease of doing business in Manila, including the reduction of zoning requirements from 22 down to 7.
“You are always welcome to do business in Manila. It is inexpensive to do business in Manila. We will not raise taxes,” Domagoso said.
AmCham Philippines Executive Director Ebb Hinchliffe, who led the delegation, said the meeting exceeded their expectations and left him fully confident in recommending Manila to American and foreign investors.
“This is always more than we expected today. To meet with the mayor is always an honor and a privilege, and what we were looking for is to learn more about why American investors or other foreign investors should come and invest in the city of Manila,” Hinchliffe said.
“He very clearly outlined the reasons that Manila is open for business, and I can now go back and very confidently recommend the city.”
“Mission accomplished. He very clearly outlined the reasons that Manila is open for business, and I can now go back and very confidently recommend the city,” he added.
AmCham Philippines has more than 900 members across the country, representing a broad range of American and multinational companies operating in the Philippine market.
