A series of regional workshops on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations economic community cited the need to draw up more regionally tailored industry roadmaps to strengthen the viability of local businesses and industries.
Forum organizers Philippine Institute for Development Studies and the National Economic and Development Authority stressed the importance of drafting a roadmap for each region.
"There are lots of potentials that can be tapped. The regional development plans may be updated and transformed into a roadmap similar to what the DTI [Trade Department] is doing. This will provide regional content or regional dimension to these roadmaps,” said PIDS fellow and Trade assistant secretary Rafaelita Aldaba.
She said the government focused on job and employment creation and inclusive growth. She said to sustain growth at a high level, "it has to be inclusive and hence the focus on creating jobs.”
Aldaba said regional consultations were needed to touch base with regional industry officials and assess coordination failures that should be helpful in the process of formulating the industry roadmaps for both manufacturing and agriculture sector.
