The Capiz provincial government and various mayors from Roxas City and the towns of Panitan, Dumalag, Pilar, Dao, Panay, President Roxas, Sigma, Cuartero, Dumarao, Ivisan, Jamindan, Maayon, Pontevedra, Sapian, and Tapaz attended the meeting with the potential Korean investors under the office of Congressman Lee Gae Ho and Farmers Future to benchmark possible partnership and development in the province.
The provincial government presented nine possible investments and partnerships such as the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) of the Pueblo de Panay township, Panay River Basin Integrated Development Project, Hydropower, Windpower, Forestry Investment Portfolio Approach, Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital, Aqua-culture Multi-Species Hatchery, Feed Mill, and Inland and Island Resort Development in Capiz.
Among the nine possible investments, Korea’s Farmers Future representative Eddie Kim said they appreciate the vision of Capiz, however, decisions cannot be made right away.
“We cannot say which right away because we need to talk with our business partners, but what we are interested in is the feed mill and the Pueblo de Panay IT-BPM,” said Kim.
Congressman Lee Gae Ho who previously served as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs under South Korean President Moon Jae-in, together with Chief Specialist Assistant Byun Dong-Gang, expressed gratitude to Governor Fredenil Castro for the memorable invitation in the South Korean Investment Forum.
Byun also mentioned that he welcomed the opinion of Gov. Castro and the people of Capiz on the plan for mutual cooperation that will benefit both parties.
“This is just a small step but I’m sure that we will build more mutual understanding and we look forward to visiting the province of Capiz more often to create greater investments,” Byun added.
Further, Kim presented the Seasonal Workers Program of South Korea where local governments in the Republic of Korea invite seasonal workers from overseas to legally work in the farming or fishing industry for 100 days or up to five months.
Kim added that they started in 2015 with 19 foreign seasonal workers and in the first half of 2023, it jumped to more than 26,700.
“The Farmers Future will be working as an agency that will benefit the province of Capiz and the Republic of Korea,” Kim said.
For his part, Gov. Fredenil Castro urged the South Korean investors to accept Capiz as what it is because they will not only offer opportunities but will also serve as the second home of South Koreans.
“In the province of Capiz, we sell not only the enormous natural resources and the opportunities that you may get, but more importantly, we sell our rear character because it is our main wealth and major natural resources,” Castro added.
In addition, Roxas City mayor Ronnie Dadivas said that as part of the government and private sectors, they have to mobilize and work together to move forward, adding that he is also hopeful to talk with them about their interest in investments.
“South Korea is one we consider to be our brothers and future partners because we believe in your technology and capacity to invest in the economy of Capiz and Roxas City,” Dadivas added. (PIA Capiz)
