MOST BUSINESS-FRIENDLY. The award received by Cotabato City as “2019 Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit Award City Level 2” from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in Manila on Wednesday (Oct. 2, 2019). Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi (inset) said a PCCI board panel interviewed her on the business potentials of the locality before the awarding ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Cotabato CIO)
COTABATO CITY -- This city has been named the most business-friendly local government unit (LGU) nationwide by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
In a statement on Friday, Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi said the city was recognized by the PCCI by presenting it with the “2019 Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit Award City Level 2” recognition.
The mayor received the award in Manila last October 2.
“This is an indication the city is improving in terms of business and economy,” Sayadi said.
She told members of the country’s association of business leaders that the city had implemented measures and programs, including tax holidays that lured investors, both local and national, to test the city’s business climate.
She said more than 8,700 individuals have been employed by various businesses that came to the city since the late mayor Japal Guiani Jr. opened the locality to investors by making it investment-friendly.
The late mayor was Sayadi’s elder brother. She said about 98 percent of the city’s businesses belonged to the small to medium enterprises or SMEs.
Sayadi attributed the improved business confidence among traders to the cooperation of every Cotabateño in helping the city government achieve what it has accomplished in the past three years. (PNA)
