British envoy vows to promote Subic among UK companies

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – "First impression indeed counts a lot."

British Ambassador Paul Dimond pointed out the prospects of this premier freeport zone as he encourages more British companies to set up business here particularly in shipbuilding and tourism industries.

"My first impression is very positive. We are a trading and investing country, and I believe that there are lots of potentials for British investments in this place," Dimond told local reporters there in press conference held at the posh APEC villa.

The British Ambassador noted the remarkable growth achieved by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in transforming this former US military base into a productive economic hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

He added that as an ambassador, he has the obligation to develop political association between the United Kingdom and the Philippines by way of encouraging business relations with the private sector.

SBMA chairman Felicito C. Payumo conducted a briefing on the developments of the Freeport zone including the planned Subic-Clark Toll road and the Port modernization project.

Payumo accompanied the British ambassador in a tour around the Freeport zone as they visited several British companies here and manufacturing plants of Japanese electronic firms such the Sanyo Denki, Sankyo Seiki and Omron Mechatronics at the Subic Techno Park.

The ambassador also had a meeting the officers and members of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce and discussed the promotional and marketing plans of the influential business group to attract more British investors.

The ambassador also cited the high-productivity performance of English-speaking Filipno workers, the pristine environment and security of Subic as among the factors that would entice more British investments.

"Filipino workers in and around Subic are very impressive in providing high productivity output. The skills training of Filipino workers are very good, and that seem to be a very good news for me to tell the British investors," Dimond added.

Dimond, likewise, cited the potentials of Subic Freeport in tourism industry as he seeks to find effective ways in marketing the Freeport including the setting up of a web site that could be linked to British tourism sector.

The ambassador said he would also consider, in the future, to set a British consular office here similar to Cebu City to have a more effective servicing office including a trade and business office for British nationals.

"Subic would be a very good site of Foreign Consulate Village because of its secured and pristine environment," Dimond added.