Clark cited again as ‘Global Free Zones of the Future’

CLARK FREEPORT – The Clark Freeport has again landed on the pages of Foreign Direct Investment (fDi) Magazine as one of the Top Global Free Zones of the future for 2012/13.

In 2010, fDi Magazine, published by the prestigious London-based The Financial Times Business Group, has also cited Clark and its potentials as a world-class economic haven.

Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Chairman and Officer-In-Charge Eduardo Oban, Jr. said this Freeport ranked number eight in the magazine’s list of global Freeport zones in the world. Dubai Airport Free Zone (Dafza) topped this year’s list followed by UAE-based Dubai International Financial Centre in second place and Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone in China for the third spot.

The other companies in the top 10 list are Iskandar in Malaysia, DuBiotech in UAE, Tanger Free Zone in Morocco, Freeport of Ventspils in Latvia, Chittagong Export Processing Zone in Bangladesh, and UAE-based Dubai Media City.

The Clark Freeport also ranked third in fDi Magazine’s top five best airport zones in the world. First on the list is Dubai Airport Free Zone followed by Tanger Free Zone in Morocco. The fourth spot was awarded to Mauritius Freeport in Mauritius while tied in fifth place are Salalah Free Zone in Oman and Bahrain International Airport in Bahrain.

The magazine said at least 600 free zones across 120 countries were invited by fDi to complete a survey requesting both qualitative and quantitative data regarding their free zones. The information collected was set under five categories: incentives, facilities, cost-effectiveness, transportation and best FDI promotion.

Read complete story from Foreign Direct Investment (fDi) Magazine

Clark council, CDC gear for 2012 ConEx

CLARK FREEPORT – The Metro Clark ICT Council and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) are preparing for the 2012 Clark ConEx International ICT Conference and Expo, a gathering of the country’s top leaders and major stakeholders in the Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry to be held here on Oct. 10-11.

Spearheaded by the Metro Clark ICT Council, the 2012 ConEx aims to replicate last year’s feat that brought together close to 4,000 participants. The council also “Promises to reach out to an even larger global audience by actively supporting and presenting in the International Outsourcing Summit…”

Metro Clark ICT President Frankie Villanueva said this year’s event would feature a business networking conference, ICT (Information and Communications Technology) stakeholders’ exhibit, ICT council’s capability exhibit, investment site tours, DOST-convergence technology roadshow, talent development conference, academic competitions, and leisure and tourism packages.

Villanueva said the annual holding of the ConEx is one of the council’s flagship projects geared to make the Clark Freeport as the country’s foremost IT and BPO destination.

With the regular hosting of the event, Villanueva said ConEx may also help encourage other IT and BPO companies to bring their businesses to the provinces, particularly those in the Central Luzon region, to decongest employment seekers jostling for job openings in Metro Manila.

For inquiries, sponsorships and promotional opportunities email metroclarkict@gmail.com.

CDC, Gov Pineda sign P5-m 'Market, market' lease project

CLARK FREEPORT – The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and the Provincial Government of Pampanga have signed a lease agreement for the establishment of a market inside the Clark Freeport that would showcase and sell various agricultural and cottage-industry products made in the province.

CDC President Felipe Antonio B. Remollo and Governor Lilia “Nanay Baby” Pineda signed the lease agreement at the governor’s extension office here on Friday.

According to Remollo, the CDC has allotted a 20,337-square meter area along Clark’s C.M. Recto Avenue and B. Fernando and Panday Pira Streets for the Provincial Government’s livelihood project, which has an initial investment of P5 million.

Pineda said the “Market, market” project aims to promote the various products offered by the province’s agricultural and cottage-industry sector. She said fresh and low-priced vegetables and other agricultural products will be sold in the market.

“Market, market” will also feature internationally-known products like the Christmas lanterns of the City of San Fernando or the “Parul Sampernandu,” pottery from Sto. Tomas town, sculptures and furniture from Betis, and guitars from San Antonio in Guagua.

Clark Gears for ICT Confab, Expo

Preparations are underway for the upcoming and most anticipated “1st International ICT Conference and Expo” this coming Oct. 13 to 15 at the Fontana Leisure Parks here.

Dubbed “Clark Conex 2011,” the conference and expo is poised to be the Clark Freeport’s largest gathering of experts, industry players, and stakeholders in the Information Communications Technology, Business Process Outsourcing, and semiconductor sector.

Clark Conex 2011 is being held to encourage IT/BPO firms to locate in the provinces to decongest Metro Manila, said Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President Felipe Antonio B. Remollo.

He added that the event is being held “to ensure that the activities to be held during the event will cater to the various needs of stakeholders from the industry.”

CDC Director Frankie Villanueva, who is also president the of the Metro Clark ICT Council, said Clark Conex 2011is one of the council’s flagship projects geared to make the Clark Freeport as the country’s foremost IT/BPO destination.

This was seconded by Cybercity Teleservices Senior Executive Vice President and concurrent Metro Clark ICT Chair George Sorio, who noted that the BPO industry in the country will gain a much stronger momentum since the United States has recovered from the recession and financial crisis.

“This is the right time to declare Clark as the Philippines’ top IT and BPO destination,” Sorio announced during a press conference held earlier before local and national media.

CDC Industrial Relations Unit Head Ervin Joy Rivera said Clark Conex 2011 aims to institutionalize Metro Clark’s reputation as the most viable investment and development destination in the global ICT, BPO and KPO map.

He added that the conference and exposition “will showcase Metro Clark and its constituents’ technical and competitive advantages in a global O&O downstream market.”

“It also solidifies its (Metro Clark area) niche as a credible Technology and Expo destination in Asia, capable of hosting the top players and investors in this multi-million dollar industry that has enveloped the planet,” Rivera said.

Rivera added that the event will highlight Metro Clark’s global tourist appeal because of its convenient “business-meets leisure” environment, its rich culture, wide array of entertainment and recreational getaways, and world-famous Filipino hospitality.

According to Rivera, Clark Conex 2011 will also boost the current workforce of the Clark Freeport, most particularly in the ICT, BPO, and semiconductor industries.

“At any given time the Clark Freeport has some 4,000 available jobs in its Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector,” Rivera said.

Aside from Clark’s garments and manufacturing sector, Rivera said more than 50 percent of Clark’s workforce comes from a mix of industries from the IT, BPO, and semiconductor sectors.

View Clark Conex 2011 schedule of activites here