SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Representatives of about 50 U.S. companies expressed interest in investment opportunities in the Luzon Economic Corridor during an investment forum held here, according to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

The delegation was led by Thomas R. Hardy, deputy director and chief operating officer of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, at the Luzon Economic Corridor Investment Forum at the Best Western Hotel in Subic Bay Freeport.

Representatives of international companies, development partners and financial institutions also attended the forum to explore business opportunities in Subic Bay Freeport and other areas covered by the corridor.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño and other SBMA officials met with the delegates, along with representatives of the Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. and other freeport investors, for business-to-business discussions.

Aliño said the forum provided an opportunity for the visiting companies to meet potential business partners, tour the freeport and explore investments linked to the corridor.

The Luzon Economic Corridor was initially established through a partnership among the Philippines, the United States and Japan. Aliño said the initiative has since expanded to include Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, South Korea, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Aliño said Subic Bay Freeport’s location makes it an important maritime gateway and logistics hub connecting major economic centers, including Clark, Manila and Batangas.

The USTDA also announced initiatives involving port infrastructure and telecommunications as part of its support for the corridor.

The agency said it will fund a feasibility study in partnership with Subic Drydock Corp. to assess improvements to the Philippines’ capacity for ship repair and maintenance. The project is intended to strengthen Subic Bay’s role as a regional maritime hub.

USTDA also said it will support a feasibility study with Philippine telecommunications company ComClark Network and Technology Corp. for a nationwide network of paid public Wi-Fi access points using U.S.-manufactured, artificial intelligence-enhanced equipment.

The agency said the project could provide internet connectivity to more than 600,000 Filipinos, including residents in communities along the Luzon Economic Corridor.

(SBMA PR)

📸 || SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, seated fifth from left, talks with delegates led by Thomas R. Hardy, deputy director and chief operating officer of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, during the Luzon Economic Corridor Investment Forum at the Best Western Hotel in Subic Bay Freeport. Also pictured are SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment Renato Lee III, right, and Philipe Baudry, executive director of Subic Bay International Container Terminal Corp., seated fourth from left. (Photos by Jun Dumaguing for Ang Pahayagan)