To sustain the growth momentum and inclusive growth of the province, the first Aklan Investment Forum was held last July 17  at the Grande Royale Restorante, Kalibo, Aklan. It was  attended by 128 senior policy makers, decision-makers and planners from  key government agencies and local government units, as well as prominent industry experts, investors and businessmen. 

The Forum was sponsored by Representative Teodorico Haresco of the lone district of Aklan, in tandem with Governor Florencio Miraflores of Aklan, the Regional Development Council (RDC)  VI and the NEDA Regional Office (NRO) VI headed by RD Ro-Ann Bacal who was the event’s moderator.

Leading business leaders Mr. Peter Wallace of the Wallace Business Forum and former Finance Secretary Margarito Teves and now of the Land Bank of the Philippines delivered inspirational messages.  Mr. Wallace shared his insights on the challenges and latest strategies and approaches in creating better investment and business environment in the countryside.  On the other hand, Mr. Teves inspired the Akeanons to intensify their efforts in engaging and mobilizing public and private resources to realize inclusive growth and development in the province.     

Various public and private entities presented their existing and committed infrastructure and utilities projects to be implemented in the province.  Discussions focused  on  trends, growth potentials and investment gaps of the province’s key industries, namely, agriculture and fisheries, tourism and manufacturing. Presentors during the forum committed more than PhP20 billion pesos worth of projects for Aklan which are expected to be realized in the next three years.

The activity ended with a ceremonial signing of memorandum  of understanding between the Province of Aklan represented by Hon.  Haresco and Governor  Miraflores and the executives of AMA Education System, for investments on  education of the youth of Aklan and nearby provinces; Boracay Island Water Company Inc.,  for the Boracay water project; PetroWind Energy Corporation for the development of the 50 megawatt wind power project in Barangay Pawa, Nabas, Aklan; Oriental Energy and Power Generation Corporation for the 18 megawatt Timbaban River hydropower project in Madalag, Aklan; and the Buskowitz Development, Incorporated for the solar power project.  These power generation projects are expected to address the needs of Aklan, particularly that of the Boracay Island, and the rest of Western Visayas.