Local government officials here led by Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez have started promoting this city to foreign investors on the first day of the 2023 Belt and Road Summit at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center on Wednesday.

Benitez, who spoke to reporters before his trip, said the goal of his administration has always been to attract investors to Bacolod.

“We are planning several trips. I’ve said this from the start, we will not wait for investors to come here. We will go to the investors and convince them to come to Bacolod to generate more employment and further develop the city. One of our destinations is the Belt and Road Summit for us to promote the city,” he added.

Benitez joined Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Councilors Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Cindy Rojas, Al Victor Espino, Vladimir Gonzalez, Renecito Novero, Jason Villarosa, Simplicia Distrito, Celia Matea Flor, and Lady Gles Pallen, who flew ahead to Hong Kong on Tuesday.

Councilor Israel Salanga has been designated as acting mayor while Councilor Em Ang has been assigned as acting vice mayor until Sept. 17.

Six department heads were also part of the team from Bacolod.

The Belt and Road Summit is being organized by the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

A premier international platform for promoting business collaboration along the Belt and Road, it gathers senior government officials and business leaders to exchange insights on multilateral cooperation and explore concrete business opportunities.

Early this year, Benitez was also part of the delegation of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his official visit to Beijing, China, where the mayor was able to establish contact with a Chinese electric (e)-jeepney manufacturer.

In July, Benitez and Jiangsu Fengchuen New Energy Power Technology Co. Ltd. (Fengchuen) chairman Li Longde signed an investment intention agreement during the launching of the e-jeepney in the city. (PNA)