MANILA, Philippines — The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has strengthened its collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to boost the Philippines’ shipbuilding and ship repair industry.
Marina administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero said JICA has taken the initiative to collaborate with the agency by extending technical assistance and expertise.
“JICA’s aid will greatly help us in promoting and developing our shipbuilding industry. We’re hoping to further improve this relationship for the interest of Japan and Philippine maritime industry,” Guerrero said.
JICA senior representative Tetsuya Yamada assured that the multilateral agency would continue to extend technical assistance and expertise to Marina in developing standard design for locally made ships, in establishing the Philippines’ first-ever maritime industrial hub, and in setting up a financing facility for local shipbuilders and ship owners.
Furthermore, JICA expressed support for the implementation of Marina’s 10-year Maritime Industry Development Plan which serves as the blueprint in making the local shipbuilding and ship repair industry globally-competitive and technologically-responsive.
JICA also pledged to provide Japanese experts who will orient Marina in crafting the retirement criteria of aging domestic ships.