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Kuwaiti group include aquaculture in Clark Technopark
Dante M. Fabian
Authorities here are embarking on massive development of prime industrial properties that would attract high technology manufacturers to the former US military airbase presently known as the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ).
Antonio R. Ng, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president and CEO, announced that 360 hectares of lands inside the Clark main zone will be developed into two industrial estates for foreign and local investment projects.
CDC officials are pushing for the development of so-called "Clark Technopark Project", a 300-hectare parcel of land located at Industrial Estate 5 (IE5) near the aviation complex here.
Ng said a Kuwaiti group has expressed interest in funding the development of the industrial complex that would host high-tech manufacturing firms.
Clark is host to some American, Japanese and Taiwanese companies that are into the production and export of electronic components, semiconductors, touch panels, liquid crystal displays and other products.
Another area - the West Industrial Park - is being allocated for Korean or Taiwanese investment projects. The two new estates, once fully developed, will have the potential to double Clark's current 36,000 employment level.
Angelo C. Lopez, Jr., CDC public relations manager, said that these new projects are intended to improve Clark's position as a center for jobs and investment projects.
"We want Clark to continue to serve as an anchor for economic development where thousands of jobs could be generated by hosting more investors," Lopez said.
Lopez also attributed the industrial development program in Clark to the 25 key initiatives being pursued by the current CDC management.
At Clark's Sub Zone, CDC is allocating some 1,000 hectares of highlands for agribusiness, horticulture, aquaculture and eco-tourism projects.
Clark ecozone is currently host to 367 foreign and local investor firms that have committed to employ some 80,000 workers in the next five years.
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