The Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Government of Canada signed a memorandum of agreement under the Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development, with Negros Oriental and Siquijor provinces, recently, a government press release said.

This is to support the private sector and local government to boost tourism investment and generate employment for local residents, and eventually reduce poverty through local governance, the press release also said.

NOCCI, the Government of Canada, and the two provinces agreed and committed to collaborate for sustainable local economic development. The agreement will improve the business climate or local tourism economy to attract investments and generate jobs for the tourism sector in Negros Oriental and Siquijor, the press release said.

The MOA plans to provide technical assistance for the capacity building of the LGUs and private institutions. LGSP-LED Philippines field director, Francis Gentoral, said the assistance includes investment fora and trainings.

NOCCI president Edward Du challenged the private sector and local government to make Negros Oriental and Siquijor the next economic tigers of the Philippines. Since Siquijor is near Negros Oriental, the tourists who visit Dumaguete will hop to the neighboring island, he said in the press release.

Stephen Weaver of the Department of Foreign Affairs Trade and Development of Canada said Canada's bilateral development program supports the Philippine development plan of 2011-2016, by working to improve the investment plan and the competitiveness of the economic sector, such as tourism, and to increase the economic opportunities in the country and in the world, the press release added.*

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