3 Spanish firms interested in Phl

MANILA, Philippines - Three Spanish firms Union Fenosa International SA, Gamesa and Grupo Leche Pascual are interested in investing in the Philippines, the Board of Investments (BOI) said yesterday.

BOI managing head Cristino L. Panlilio said that during his recent visit to Spain, he met with these firms which expressed interest in the Philippines.

Union Fenosa is already into oil exploration in the Philippines but Panlilio said the other expertise of the firm is power plant. “We are asking for natural gas exploration and operation,” Panlilio said.

The Gamesa on the other hand manufactures wind turbines. Panlilio said they would like more wind power projects here. With more than 15 years experience, Gamesa is a world leader in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of wind turbines, with around 22,000 MW installed in 30 countries on four continents and 14,000 MW under maintenance.

The company has 30 production facilities in Europe, the US, China, India and Barzil and close to 8,000 employees worldwide.

Another Spanish firm Leche Pascual has already signed a contract and is in the final stages of partnership with a Filipino firm for a yoghurt manufacturing plant here. Panlilio said the project may be done in partnership with San Miguel Corp., Del Monte, Alaska or Asia Brewery.

Leche Pascual has already committed to invest in the Philippines last year when then President Arroyo visited Madrid in 2010. Then Trade Secretary Jesli A. Lapus met with Leche Pascual officials who said they would like to put up a plant here.

Leche Pascual is the only firm accredited to sell throughout the European Union. The company has embarked on a new international expansion strategy which has identified three target regions for the global market expansion. The countries are South Africa for Africa, Venezueala for South America and Philippines for Southeast Asia.

The company said they are confident that they will be able to develop the market in the Philippines for yoghurt products. Aside from the significant employment generation, the company is also confident that it can improve the nutritional level of the population.

Likewise, this will improve the image of the Philippines as an ideal investment site and regional manufacturing base and distribution center, encouraging other big Spanish investors to follow.