Japanese investors eye Subic

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Felicito C. Payumo said yesterday that more Japanese investors have expressed serious intentions to invest in the Subic Freeport.

Payumo met recently with members of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises of Japan which is composed of 80 companies based in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture.

Payumo, together with Subic Techno Park president Ichiro Tsuji, Sanyo Seiki (Japan) president Satoshi Fukushima and executive director Harumi Kansaki, made a presentation before the Japanese businessmen.

The Japanese executives already based in Subic tried to convince the Japanese businessmen about the advantages of investing in the Subic Freeport.

These advantages include a strategic location for easier access and distribution of goods to the global market, improved roads and other infrastructure, a world-class airport, deep-sea harbor and seaport facilities, and the availability of highly-skilled and educated English-speaking workers.

The group also pointed out to the Japanese businessmen that Subic is an ideal investment site because of the presence of Federal Express which offers international courier services.

"The freeport status of Subic guarantees the free flow of goods and merchandise without the tedious bureaucratic process," Payumo said.

Additionally, Payumo told the Japanese businessmen, locating within the Subic Freeport would also ensure them safety because of the strict security measures followed within the freeport. – Marianne Go