Fifteen projects valued at P11.06 billion in seven provinces of Central Luzon are seeking proponents and partners.
These projects will be offered in pre-matched and on-site meetings at the first Central Luzon Expo (CLE) October 17 and 18, at the Asean Convention Center, Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.
“Local government units identified these potential investment opportunities and conducted studies, which they presented to the Board of Invesments for approval. It took a year to come up with the list,” said Judith Angeles, director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 3 director at a press conference on CLE on Tuesday.
The Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation Inc. (CLGFI) composed of the governors of the seven provinces of Central Luzon — Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales – is spearheading the CLE.
The list of business offers includes a mega convention center and the Dingalan commercial fishing Industry in Aurora, master plan for hotels for Bataan, and the establishment of community-based bangus nursery in Bulacan.
For Tarlac, a youth and lifestyle Center, and a cacao coconut plantation in Zambales. Nueva Ecija and Pampanga have multiple business opportunities including the establishment of onion cold storage in Palayan City, construction of accommodation/hotel in Pantabangan, as well as the Sasmuan eco-recreational adventure and the City of San Fernando town center.
“We believe that the Central Luzon, as the third biggest region in the country in terms of population, has the most potential and untapped resources. Thus, we continuously seek new platforms to showcase this vast potential of our region for development,” said Tarlac Gov. Susan Yap, president of CLGCFI.
With its strategic location as the gateway to Asia, accessibility to three international airports, expanding infrastructure facilities, and the highly-anticipated full development of the New Clark City, Central Luzon is strengthening its position as of the most dynamic investment destinations in the country not only in the field of agriculture, but also in technology, trade, and tourism.
“We aim to inform investors, both domestic and international, that Central Luzon is ready to be the next hub for major trade and investments. We have the necessary infrastructure and an efficient and effective system laid down to assist all those who wish to be a part of this fast-growing and innovative region,” Yap added.
“Under the DTI we have the SMERA (SME Roving Academy) which offers subjects on how to manage businesses. We also have 250 shared-service facilities all over Luzon to aid small business who cannot afford to buy their own equipment to improve their production and their productivity,” said Angeles.
Along with B2B meetings, CL Expo will also feature exhibition booths that will display provincial products and services, a procurement matching activity, an industry forum, and a job fair for job seekers and private companies in the region.
