Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. is hoping for increased business engagements with India after the recent business roadshow in this city that showcased potential investments.

“We want to increase our economic exchange with India. India is the fifth-largest economy in the world, and they have a big business sector which can be the potential investors in the province and the city of Iloilo,” Defensor said in an interview Monday.

He said the provincial government, through the Local Economic Development Investment and Promotions (LEDIP) Office, will be arranging for follow-up virtual meetings with companies that have signified interest to invest in Iloilo.

As an offshoot of the India Business Forum held here on May 31, the governor added that one of the companies interested to invest is a business process outsourcing firm, particularly a voice-over-internet call center.

In preparation for potential investors, Defensor said those who are into real estate development are encouraged to develop information technology and light industry parks along coastal areas.

“The province has been selling that idea to developers of something like the business park of Iloilo City so that we can maximize the properties along the coast. We have good beaches,” he said, adding that the development will add value to the coastal areas.

Developers, the governor said, will be matched with landowners and land use plans of the municipalities since the land is owned by the private sector and not by the government.

“We present to them the fundamentals but if they need land, they have to deal with the private sector,” he said. (PNA)