US opens doors to Filipino investors; NJ slates business confab in October

The Hamilton Business District in New Jersey, USA, is opening its doors to Filipino investors, including micro-entrepreneurs, through a business opportunities conference slated for October 16 to 21 in Somerset, N.J.

In a statement released Tuesday (yesterday in Manila), the Hamilton Street Business and Community Group through Executive Director Efren Dato said New Jersey organizers and their Manila counterparts have finalized bilateral arrangements for the five-day business conference.

Dubbed “Doing Business in America Conference”: New Jersey Business Opportunities will offer incentives to Filipino investors such as zero-interest loans; financial assistance; residency to citizenship status; processing of business permits; and other incentives available under the economic stimulus package of US President Barrack Obama.

“Filipino investors must take advantage of what the American business climate can offer now. There is great opportunity for large enterprises and micro-entrepreneurs as well with many areas in New Jersey heavily populated by a Filipino market,” said Dato, a Filipino-American.

Dato, who visited the Philippines last February, partnered with Metaopsis Consultancy in Manila cooperate with the Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce in Somerset for the staging of the event.

Simon Serrano, Metaopsis Chief Executive, told Manila Bulletin by phone from New Jersey yesterday that the main objective of the event is to encourage Filipinos to find out what America has to offer to them.

“Ms. Mary Smith, the executive director of Franklin Township’s Chamber of Commerce, feels confident foreign investment will lead to increased exports, strengthening of our manufacturing and service sectors. It is their goal to bring to Franklin Township to new heights in terms of research, technology and skills. Filipino investors can be part of this grand scheme,” said Serrano.

The conference welcomes any business from micro to large enterprise including exporter, manufacturer, restaurants, retails stores and many more, he said.

There will also business matching for those who do not have any business idea to put on. There is also an option to buy from existing companies and co-manage a business.

“This is the best time to know and find out what business opportunities we have here especially at Hamilton Business District. The conference is a worthy investment because this is just once in a lifetime experience seeing a collaboration among private sectors from the US and Philippines and being supported by the US government from the federal down to the Township level,” Smith said in a statement.

She further highlighted the positive impact foreign direct investment will have on Franklin Township’s economy. “Foreign direct investment can play a major role as a key driver of our economy and can be an important source of innovation to create new jobs for Franklin Township.”

Serrano said details and updates on the event will be posted on the the following Internet websites: www.metaopsisconsultancy.com and www.thephilippinebusinessandnewsforum.com.

Nate C. Barretto