Bataan freeport expects more locators this year

MANILA, Philippines -The Authority of Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) expects to attract more locators to the freeport with the construction of a dry bulk terminal in the province.

According to AFAB, Seasia Nectar Port Services Inc.’s  (SNPSI) project is expected to encourage more firms to locate at the freeport.

SNPSI, a joint venture company between Seasia Logistic Philippines Inc. and Nectar Group Ltd., earlier this year started the development of the 11.4-hectare port in Mariveles in Bataan.

 “The presence of SNPSI would help in attracting more investors to locate at the FAB as costs of shipment would be reduced,” AFAB chairman Deogracias Custodio said.

 “This project gives us confidence to market ourselves to other kind of industries worldwide,” he added.

The dry bulk terminal is designed to handle shipment of coal, clinker, silica sand, cement raw materials, steel, fertilizer and other dry bulk cargo.

Apart from the dry bulk terminal, SNPSI would also build facilities for warehousing, stevedoring, lightering and towing of cargo.

The construction of the port is expected to take place for one year, while commercial operations will begin next year.

As of end-2014, the number of locators in the FAB reached 93, up from just 39 in 2010.

Investment commitments in the FAB meanwhile, amounted to P84.275 billion as of end-October last year, well-above the P2.199 billion in the same period in 2013.

The FAB is the emerging fashion manufacturing hub of the Philippines as it possesses a budding cluster of companies producing high-end brands of garments, apparel, shoes, bags and pieces of jewelry.

While many of the FAB’s locators are engaged in the fashion industry, the AFAB also wants to attract firms involved in other businesses as it aims to make the freeport the preferred location of investors and a center of trade, innovation and sustainable development in Asia by 2020.