Phl cities charm investors at China-Asean Expo

GUANGXI – Banking on their strategic locations, San Fernando City in La Union and the Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ) both placed their best foot forward in a bid to attract the attention of investors from China and other member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

San Fernando City and the CFZ were both chosen as the “Cities of Charm” from the Philippines in the 9th China-ASEAN four-day Expo that began on Sept. 21 in the city of Nanning.

San Fernando Mayor Pablo Ortega informed investor prospects in the “Investment Seminar-Business Opportunities in the Philippines” held at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center (NICEC) on Saturday that their city’s location would suit the needs of investors and visiting tourists.

He said San Fernando is regarded as the “gateway to the North” and the “prime capital city of Ilocandia.”

San Fernando in La Union is the home of the Poro Point Freeport Zone (PPFZ) that can be easily accessed via land, air and sea. San Fernando’s seaport is already classified as “international” since it has been accommodating cruise ships, cargo vessels and barges in its pier.

The international seaport of PPFZ has a total land area of 30 hectares and with a possible reclamation area of over 100 hectares. It has three pier structures, six warehouses and open storage areas that are ideal for various types of cargo.

Ortega offered the city to the business community here.

“This is what we offer, fast emerging of development is the Poro Point Freeport Zone wherein a sizeable portion is surrounded by the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

He added San Fernando is blessed to be located 270 kilometers northwest of Metro Manila. From La Union, visitors could also access other tourist destinations of nearby provinces including Baguio, Vigan in Ilocos Sur, Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, and Pangasinan.

San Fernando City Councilor Joseph de Guzman said their efforts to promote tourism have been paying off because compared to three years ago, there has been about a 50-percent increase in the number of tourists.

“There are already a lot of Koreans in the city. There are also several Chinese businessmen who own small businesses,” he said.

One of the city’s biggest and latest attractions is the Thunderbird Resort that has a casino.

Among the time tested tourist attractions in San Fernando City are the 20-hectare botanical garden, the Ma-cho Temple, and the 25-foot statue of Christ the Redeemer at the Reservoir Hill.

As for the CFZ, Clark Freeport Philippines-marketing department manager Rafael Galvez was thankful for the opportunity to promote the free port, and hoped to catch the attention of more foreign investors from China and the ASEAN countries.

“We are mainly trying to attract more people from the BPO (Business Process Outsourcing), electronic sector and ICT (Information and Communications Technology) industry and the manufacturing sector. Also we are looking at companies that are aviation related, those aviation dependent and companies that are open to logistics,” Galvez said.

He believed that once businessmen have heard of their proposals and seen the potential of the CFZ, they would seriously consider entrusting them with their businesses.

“We are also offering to foster better relationship within the ASEAN region. Clark has so much to offer... and even on the side of tourism. (There are) more lots in Clark and property that are available for expansion projects from companies who are looking for a place that are ideal. Clark for example has an international airport, it has tourism activity and it has an industrial park. So it is basically a place where nature, leisure and business intertwine,” he said.

They are also eyeing the supplier chain of the current business establishments in the Freeport zone.

Galvez added that apart from the incentive plans that they would be offering to incoming investors, Clark’s workforce is friendly and skilled. Communication is also not a problem since almost all Filipinos speak English well.

The CFZ is also accessible to tourists through the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

“Notwithstanding competing with (other) provinces but Clark has more international flights now compared to Cebu flying from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Korea. We already have daily direct flights to Korea,” he added.

They are also hoping to reestablish travel ties with China. Galvez added, “Hopefully, there would be direct flights” to and from China and Clark.

“There were direct flights before to China. We are trying to strengthen that relationship once more,” he said.

Places featured in previous CA-EXPO “Cities of Charm” include Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, Manila, Laoag, Subic Bay, Davao, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga City, and Puerto Princesa.