Phl bags $825-M investments from ANZ

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino said the Philippines has bagged at least $825 million in committed investments from his six-day state visits to Australia and New Zealand, which could generate around 6,500 more jobs for Filipinos.  

In Australia alone, a $200-million natural gas project was discussed between Atlantic Gulf & Pacific – located in Batangas – and its client, the consortium composed of Japan Gas Corp., Kellogg Brown and Root and JKC.

Discussions were made in which the Australians expressed their confidence that Filipinos can do the critical aspects of their operations in a timely manner, Aquino said, as this AG&P-JKC contract will create 1,500 new jobs in AG&P’s Batangas facility.  

Likewise, Australia-based Macquarie also had discussions in working with the Government Service Insurance System to create the Pinai fund worth $625 million.

This fund, according to Aquino, will be used to bid for infrastructure projects in the Philippines, noting that Macquarie had participated in the LRT project. Now it is expressing interest in the NAIA expressway project.

Also, Aquino said Australian shipbuilder Austal plans to expand its shipbuilding operations in Cebu, which will create 1,000 new jobs.

Telstra, another Australian company, is also expanding its operations and wants to add around 2,000 to as much as 4,000 new jobs, on top of its 10,000 total workforce in the Philippines, Aquino revealed.

In his arrival message, Aquino said he talked to New Zealand’s GNS Science, which is tying up with the Philippines’ Energy Development Corp. to enhance the country’s capability in harnessing geothermal energy.

The Philippine delegation likewise assisted Philippine company Alliance Select in talking to Akaroa Salmon, a New Zealand company. Alliance Select bought 80 percent of Akaroa Salmon.

Aquino said the Australian officials congratulated the Philippine government for signing a peace deal with the Muslim separatists in Mindanao. In turn, he also thanked  the Australian government for its continuing assistance for Mindanao’s development.

Aquino also said that Australia and the Philippines signed an air services agreement that will help enhance commercial airline services in the Philippines.

He noted that the Philippines and New Zealand likewise sealed several agreements that will strengthen their ties particularly in energy and defense cooperation.