Kuwaiti's emir to visit Clark freeport tomorrow

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines –Kuwaiti’s emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah will arrive here tomorrow to witness the renaming of the 177-hectare Global Gateway Logistics City (GGLC) after him.

“We are honored that Kuwaiti’s emir will not only grace us with his presence, but allow us to rename the project in his honor,” said Dennis Wright, president of Peregrine Development International Inc.

Wright is a partner of the Global Gateway Development Corp. (GGDC), the corporate arm of the Kuwait and Gulf Link Holding Co. (KGL) in the Philippines.

Wright said the logistics site would be known as The Sabah Al-Ahmad Global Gateway Logistics City.

The KGL has allocated at least $1 billion for the development of the logistics city.

Guy Hilbero, tourism officer of Mabacalat town, said the emir is expected to arrive at noon before leaving the country following a four-day state visit.

The logistics group KGL had earlier committed to invest some $500 million in the Philippines.

The GGDC had signed a 50-year lease agreement with the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) for the development of aviation-related projects on the 177-hectare logistics site.

It also has an agreement with the Medical City for the construction of a state-of-the-art hospital in the area.

The emir earlier met with President Aquino and invited the latter to visit his country.

The Kuwaiti leader also expressed interest to invest in infrastructure projects, particularly airports.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Al-Sabah told Aquino that he was open to the entry of a certain variety of rice from the Philippines.