响应一带一路倡议能够在合作领域产生巨大潜力，特别是将其与我们国家自身的利益和发展愿景对接
文｜罗马纳（H.E.Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana）菲律宾驻华大使 翻译｜王晓波
一带一路倡议对接菲律宾雄心2040战略
我们认为一带一路倡议旨在促进亚洲、欧洲和非洲大陆及其邻近海域的互联互通，在各沿线国家间建立和加强伙伴关系，构筑全方位、多层次、综合型的连接网络，并且使这些国家能够实现多样化、独立、均衡和可持续的发展。
在这样的背景下，菲律宾看到了响应一带一路倡议能够在合作领域所产生的巨大潜力，特别是将其与我们国家自身的利益和发展愿景对接的综合考虑。
什么是我们的利益、愿景和发展目标呢？我国的发展目标已经写入了《菲律宾雄心2040》战略，它对菲律宾未来25年综合、长远的发展前景和愿望做出了规划。我们的愿景是让所有的菲律宾人民摆脱饥饿和贫困，享有平等的机遇，生活在一个公平、正义、有序和团结的社会中。我们期待到2040年，菲律宾将发展成为一个繁荣的、以中产阶级为主的社会。不再有一个穷人，所有人都能够健康长寿，在充满诚信、智慧和创新的社会环境下生活。
我们希望通过菲律宾的一系列发展计划来实现这一愿景。菲律宾2017-2022发展计划就是根据这一长远愿景制定出来的，而且它也与联合国2030可持续发展议程相吻合。同时作为东南亚国家联盟的创始成员国（ASEAN），我们也会坚定地执行东盟在连通性方面的总体规划。
期待加强互联互通合作
菲律宾不仅乐见国家境内实现连通，也非常希望它能扩展到周边地区。在这方面，菲律宾非常感谢中国，因为中国在许多项目上给予我们大力支持，从而极大地改善了我国境内的互联互通。希望中国在设施连通方面能继续为我们提供帮助。
杜特尔特总统和中国国家总理李克强共同参加了Binondo-Intramuros桥和Estrella-Pantaleon桥的开工仪式，这两座落于帕西格河上，都将由中国出资并帮助兴建。2017年11月15日在马尼拉的会见结束后，两国领导人还亲自见证了多项合作协议的签署。这些协议包括对奇科河灌溉项目和Kaliwa大坝项目的资助、帕西格河上两座桥项目，以及一份包括桥梁、铁路、高速公路等工程建设的项目清单。
在连通性方面，我想指出一点，在李克强总理访问菲律宾期间签署的联合声明中，两国同意增加飞行航班以促进双向旅游，鼓励两国民间加强互访。
在菲律宾接待的国际游客中，中国游客的数量位居第二，排在韩国之后。根据菲律宾旅游局提供的数据，2017年1月至11月，有96万名中国游客来菲律宾旅游。我们期待今后会有更多的中国游客前往菲律宾。
投资菲律宾的八大理由
中国已经在增加对菲律宾的投资。从2017年1月至9月，中国已经跃居为我们的第八大投资来源国，得到核准的投资总额达到了4105万美元。
我们非常愿意邀请更多的中国投资者前往菲律宾投资经营。为什么要对菲律宾进行投资呢？
首先，菲律宾地处战略性的商业环境，它位于国际航运和航线的十字路口。在亚洲每隔3、4个小时就会有一架航班抵达菲律宾。
第二，菲律宾的人口比例有优势，劳动力水平具备全球竞争力。我们的专业人员都受过高等教育，能够讲流利的英语，接受过很好的培训，可以适应不同的地域文化，并且有较强的客户服务意识。
第三，菲律宾的基础设施完善，有9个国际机场和20个国内机场。在“建设、建设、建设”这一菲律宾历史上最雄心勃勃的基础设施规划的指导下，杜特尔特政府每年将耗资200亿美元用于兴建铁路、城市公共交通、桥梁、道路、机场和港口，进一步强化国内的交通网络。
第四，菲律宾政府对投资者的态度非常友好。潜在对菲投资者可以找到一个招商引资网络(IPU-Net),该网络由28个政府部门组成，旨在提供投资便利。同时在杜特尔特总统的领导下，我们两国的双边关系有了很大的改善。
第五，菲律宾制定了许多对投资者非常具有吸引力的优惠政策，包括所得税免税期、资本设备、原材料、零配件和用品的免税进口、简化海关手续以及其它财政和非财政奖励措施。
第六，菲律宾的宏观经济环境对投资者非常有利。菲律宾是亚洲地区发展最快的经济体之一，我们目前位居越南之后，排名第二（截至2017年三季度）。2017年前三个季度实现了6.7%的增长，这是有史以来的最好记录，预计全年的增长将在6.5%至7.5%之间。而且我们宏观经济的基本面保持稳定，通货膨胀控制在目标范围内，贸易持续增长，失业率也降到了10年来的最低水平。
第七，菲律宾还具有良好的投资环境。成立企业的过程已经被简化，现在只需八天就可完成。在2017世界竞争力报告的排名中，菲律宾列居第41位。
最后，菲律宾有1亿多人口，这是一个巨大的市场，个人消费在国内生产总值增长中的占比超过60%。
鼓励投资重点领域
我想特别强调，2016年7月1日生效的东盟-中国自由贸易协定（ACFTA）升级协议，它不仅降低了东盟与中国间进出中货物的关税，还为中国的投资者提供了诸多便利。确切地说，它将使东盟与中国之间走的更近，从而实现到2020年双向贸易额达到10000亿美元，投资额达到1500亿美元的目标。自2009年以来，中国就成为了东盟最大的贸易伙伴和第四大境外直接投资国。
因此我们非常希望中国能继续增加在菲律宾的投资，尤其是我们2017投资优先计划中列出的那些领域。包括：农业、渔业和林业；基础设施和物流；医疗保健服务；居民用房；环境和与气候变化相关的项目。
中国有意向的投资者可以考虑在菲律宾经济区管理局（PEZA）管辖的任何一个制造业经济区、信息技术产业园、农业-工业经济区和医疗旅游中心进行投资。
我们也欢迎投资者在这些区域投资经商：克拉克自由区（CFZ）以及由苏比克湾城市管理局（SBMA）、卡加延经济区管理局（CEZA）、奥罗拉经济特区管理局（ASEZA）、三宝颜经济区管理局（ZEZA）、旅游基础设施和企业区管理局（TIEZA）所管辖的经济区。在这些区域做生意能够享受到财政和非财政的优惠激励政策。
总之，我希望中国民众能够关注我们两国间的经济合作，因为它是大有前途的。在2017年11月李克强总理访问菲律宾时两国签署的联合声明中，中国承诺将继续鼓励和支持中国企业扩大在菲律宾的投资和从菲律宾进口更多的商品，从而将两国间贸易和投资的规模和质量都提升到新水平。
菲律宾愿意为所有国家的投资者，包括中国的投资者，创造和维护公平的竞争环境，并为他们提供必要的帮助。（编辑：张梅）
New Silk Road and New Future: Perspectives from the Philippines
by H.E. Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana, Ambassador Republic of the Philippines
It is with great pleasure that I share with readers of the China Investment magazine my insights about China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and how this Initiative converges with our development goals.
We understand that the BRI is an "economic vision of the opening-up of and cooperation among the countries along the Belt and Road." According to the Action Plan on the Belt and Road Initiative, the Initiative "aims to promote the connectivity of Asian, European and African continents and their adjacent seas, establish and strengthen partnerships among the countries along the Belt and Road, set up all-dimensional, multi-tiered and composite connectivity networks, and realize diversified, independent, balanced and sustainable development in these countries."
It is in this context that the Philippines sees great potential in cooperation under China's Belt and Road Initiative, particularly in activities that converge with our interests and the aspirations of the countries in our region.
What are our interests, aspirations and development goals? Our development goals are embodied in Ambisyon Natin 2040, which represents the collective long-term vision and aspirations of our people for ourselves and for the Philippines in the next 25 years. Our vision is for the Philippines to be a country where all citizens are free from hunger and poverty, have equal opportunities, enabled by a fair and just society that is governed with order and unity. By 2040, we aspire that the Philippines will be a prosperous, predominantly middle-class society where no one is poor, where our people live long and healthy lives in a society that is trustworthy, smart and innovative.
We hope to accomplish this vision through a series of Philippine Development Plans. The Philippine Development Plan for the years 2017 – 2022 is anchored on this long-term vision and the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda 2030. The Philippine Government is further guided by the socio-economic agenda of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and as a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), we adhere to the ASEAN Master Plan on Connectivity.
We in the Philippines welcome connectivity not only in our region but also beyond. We believe that connectivity should serve as the catalyst for a country to develop its economic strength, its political independence, its human resource capabilities and potentials.
In this regard, I would like to extend the Philippines' deep appreciation for China's support in various projects which are intended to enhance connectivity in our country, and looks forward to China’s continued assistance in various development projects.
I note, in particular, that President Duterte and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang led the ceremonial launching of the project to construct two bridges across the Pasig River (the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge and the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge), which will be built and financed by China. The two leaders further witnessed the signing of several agreements after their meeting in Manila on 15 November 2017. The agreements include the financing of the Chico River Irrigation Project and the Kaliwa Dam Project, the two bridges across the Pasig River, as well as an indicative list of projects encompassing the construction of bridges, railways, expressways, and other projects.
Also in terms of connectivity, I wish to note that in the Joint Statement issued during Premier Li's visit to the Philippines, our two countries agreed to support more flights between our two countries to increase two-way tourism, and to encourage our citizens to travel to each other's country.
China is now the second largest source of international visitors to the Philippines, after the Republic of Korea. Data from our Department of Tourism show that from January to November 2017, more than 960,000 nationals from China visited the Philippines. We look forward to welcoming more Chinese tourists to the Philippines.
I believe that greater connectivity through more frequent flights and increased exchanges between our peoples contribute to strengthening people-to-people exchanges in various fields. And I hope that the additional flights will also promote cooperation, mutual understanding and greater trust among our two peoples, between our officials, our businessmen, our experts.
In terms of enhancing greater exchanges between our businessmen, I note that China is a growing source of investments in the Philippines. From January to September 2017, China was our 8th largest source of investments, with total approved investments amounting to USD 41.05 million.
At the same time, we would like to invite more Chinese investors to do business in the Philippines. Why invest in the Philippines? Here, I wish to cite a number of reasons making the Philippines an ideal investment destination.
First, the Philippines has a strategic business location. Our country is located at the crossroads of international shipping and airline routes. Within Asia, the Philippines is reachable within 3 to 4 hours by plane.
Second, the Philippines has favorable demographics and a globally competitive work force. Our professionals are highly educated, English proficient, highly trainable, adaptable to various cultures, and have a strong customer service orientation.
Third, the Philippines has robust infrastructure, with 9 international airports and 20 domestic airports. Under the "Build, Build, Build," the most ambitious infrastructure program in Philippine history, the Duterte administration will be spending about US$ 20 billion per year through the medium term to build more railways, urban mass transport, bridges, roads, airports and seaports to further enhance connectivity within our country.
Fourth, I would like to cite the Philippine government's friendly posture toward investors. Prospective investors to the Philippines will find an Investment Promotion Unit Network (IPU-Net), comprising 28 government agencies that aim to facilitate investments. With China in particular, I note an improvement in our bilateral relations under the leadership of President Duterte.
Fifth, the Philippines has a number of incentives which investors will find attractive. These incentives include income tax holidays; duty-free importation of capital equipment, raw materials, spare parts and supplies; simplified customs procedures; and other fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.
Sixth, the Philippines has a favorable macroeconomic environment for investors. The Philippines remains one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia. We are currently the second fastest after Vietnam (third quarter, 2017), recording a 6.7 percent growth in the first three quarters of 2017, and are on the way to reaching our full-year growth target of 6.5 to 7.5 percent. I wish to note that our macroeconomic fundamentals remain firm and stable. Inflation is within target, and trade continues to grow. Underemployment rate also declined to its lowest level in 10 years.
Seventh, the Philippines likewise has a favorable investment environment. The process of starting a business has been simplified, and now takes only eight (8) days. Moreover, the Philippines ranks 41st in the 2017 World Competitiveness Report among 63 economies covered.
Finally, the Philippines has a large domestic market of more than 100 million, with private consumption accounting for more than 60% of the growth of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
I would also like to note the entry into force on 1 July 2016 of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) Upgrade Protocol, which is expected not only to lower the tariffs of goods between ASEAN and China, but also provide benefits for Chinese investors. More concretely, it is expected to bring ASEAN and China closer to realizing their goals of two-way trade of US$1 trillion and investment of US$150 billion by 2020. China is currently ASEAN’s largest trading partner since 2009 and ASEAN’s fourth largest external source of foreign direct investments.
We would therefore like to invite more Chinese investments to the Philippines, particularly in the various sectors identified under our 2017 Investment Priorities Plan. These sectors include manufacturing; agriculture, fishery and forestry; infrastructure and logistics; healthcare services; mass housing; environment and climate change-related projects.
Prospective Chinese investors may wish to consider investing in any of the manufacturing economic zones, information technology parks, agro-industrial economic zones, medical tourism centers under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).
Investors are also welcome to do business in the Clark Free Zone (CFZ), as well as in the economic zones operated by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), Aurora Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), Zamboanga Economic Zone Authority (ZEZA), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA). Fiscal and non-fiscal incentives await prospective businessmen intending to do business in these areas.
In conclusion, I wish to draw the readers' attention to the outlook of economic cooperation between our two countries, which is very promising. In the Joint Statement issued during the visit of Premier Li Keqiang to the Philippines in November 2017, I note that China will continue to encourage and support Chinese enterprises to expand their investments in the Philippines, import more quality products from our country, and upgrade the scale and quality of trade and investment between our two countries.
We are hoping that, as Chinese enterprises go global, China will be a source of increasingly larger investments for the Philippines in the coming years. The Philippines is ready to create and maintain a level playing field for investors from all countries, including Chinese investors, and to provide them the necessary assistance.
