The Investment Enabling Environment (INVEST) Project is a two-year, Php132.4 million ($3.23 million) project began in October 2011. It seeks to address key constraints underlying low levels of private investment in the Philippines in order to improve the local business climate. The program aims to lower transaction costs and reducing the cost of doing business in national and local level regulations and processess and increase the flow of private investment and business start-ups in the Philippines.

INVEST is a USAID/Philippines program under the Partnership for Growth (PFG), a bilateral initiative. The PFG represents a partnership between the Philippines and the United States to promote broad-based and inclusive growth. The U.S. Government is working with the Government of the Philippines, the private sector and civil society organization to help put the Philippines on an accelerated growth trajectory that benefits the majority of its population.

ACTIVITIES
INVEST is currently being implemented in the cities of Batangas, Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo. The project is working to reduce business costs and encourage private investments and innovation. By lowering business costs and encouraging innovation and investment, INVEST will facilitate increased domestic and foreign investment, contributing to national GDP. New business registration growth and formal sector employment generation will additionally support an improved economic climate in the Philippines. INVEST works to build capacity of the local investment planning and promotions office, review the city’s investment code, supporst feasibility studies for targeted sectors.

GOAL
To lower transaction costs and reduce the cost of doing business involving both national and local level regulations and processes and to increase the flow of private investment and number of business start-ups in the Philippines.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

• Streamline business registration process
• Improve investment planning and promotion in partner cities
• Build capacity of the local investment planning and promotions office