Security Bank continues to bring analysts and experts to provide in-depth discussions of economic trends and political issues through a nationwide Economic Forum Roadshow.
Following the Economic Forum in Manila last year, the Bank recently convened local business leaders in Clark, Pampanga. Security Bank gathered 150 Central Luzon-based clients – entrepreneurs, chief financial officers and treasurers – from various industries.
The bank factored in national politics, a component it believes the private sector may often overlook, to educate its clients about new opportunities and threats in the financial sector.
“It has become necessary to know our political landscape and how it can influence economic conditions. Since the economy and the government policy agenda are often intertwined, it is our responsibility to provide an avenue for discussions that will help our clients make wiser business decisions,” said Security Bank President & CEO Alfonso L. Salcedo, Jr.
The roster of experts included NEDA Director for Region III Leon Dacanay, Jr.; Calixto Chikiamco, President of the Foundation for Economic Freedom; Professor Victor Andres C. Manhit, Founder & Managing Director of Stratbase Group; and Robert “Dan” Roces, Chief Economist of Security Bank.
The forum discussed dynamics between policies and decisions that currently shape the country’s economy, as well as local issues such as as inflation, agricultural performance and exports-imports
“We believe that Clark is the best city to launch our first economic forum this year since it is an exciting time for this booming city. We are watching the future being built here,” added Salcedo. A testament to this is Pampanga’s evident growth performance in recent years which reinforced Central Luzon’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth. This economic productivity has placed the area in the best position to become the next economic center of the country.
Security Bank’s Chief Economist Robert “Dan” Roces said that Clark continues to be an investment destination for the real estate industry adding that: “Clark has the potential to become a real estate hotspot, in congruence with the developments in the New Clark City. All the infrastructure support systems are in place along with the absorptive capacity for new businesses and tourism. In addition, Central Luzon can leverage the expected increase in tourist arrivals this year as it is set to host the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.”
The Bank is set to host various symposia in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Six more fora are already in the pipeline for 2019.
(in photo) (From left to right) SBC Chief Economist Robert “Dan” Roces, Founder & Managing Director of Stratbase Group Professor Victor Andres C. Manhit, NEDA Regional Director Leon Dacanay, Jr., SBC President & CEO Alfonso L. Salcedo, Jr., President of the Foundation for Economic Freedom Calixto Chikiamco, and ABS-CBN News Channel Anchor-Managing Editor Cathy Yang at the first Economic Forum of Security Bank outside Metro Manila.