GUIUAN, Eastern Samar
– Governor Ben P. Evardone personally accompanied a group of 10
Chinese investors that visited very recently for a site survey to
possible business ventures in this municipality.
Evardone said he is
hopeful that the group of Chinese nationals will put up investments in
the province, particularly in Guiuan, as economic potential in the
area is very high. “We are grooming up Guiuan as the next eco-tourism
hub in the country as the place offers a lot when it comes to tour
sites, cultural and historical heritage, natural wealth and human
resources,” Evardone said.
The prospect
investors, all natives of Wuhan City of Hu-bei province in China, are
eyeing on telecommunications, hotels & restaurants, agriculture
developments, mining industry and other tourism related services as
possible business enterprises that can be established in Guiuan.
The Chinese, led by
Steve Yang, already have existing commercial industries in other parts
of the Philippines and in Asia. “This group is convinced that there is
huge economic future in
Eastern Samar and is willing to help the province in improving its
economic situation,” says Yang, apparently the only Chinese in the
group who can speak English.
Mayor Analiz Kwan is
likewise exuberant in welcoming the foreigners. “We will continue to
promote Guiuan to attract more local and foreign investors,” Kwan said
during the group’s courtesy call to the mayor upon its arrival. “As of
the moment, you are very much a priority,” Kwan said to the Chinese
nationals.
Recently, Governor
Evardone and Mayor Kwan made a business trip to South Korea to forge
an agreement with a Korean real estate company for the construction
and establishment of 200-room Intercontinental Hotel also in Guiuan.
Evardone also divulged
that another Korean company intends to put up a 700-room hotel in this
southern municipality. “All we have to do is to improve the road
conditions in the province, electric services and rehabilitate the
already existing airport in Guiuan for commercial flights,” says
Evardone, “and the project will certainly be pushed through.”
During his
inauguration, the governor in his speech, reported as well that a
Chinese company will soon start the construction of Amandaraga
Hydropower Plant in Lawaan worth P700 million. The project is set to
provide the energy requirements of four gateway municipalities Lawaan,
Balangiga, Giporlos and Quinapondan.
