Clark authorities are aiming to attract more foreign investors from Taiwan, in a bid to draw in more freeport operators and encourage internal collaboration.
According to recent reports, the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President and CEO met recently with representatives of some 17 Taiwanese companies, aimed at encouraging interlinkages between businesses located in the freeport zone.
The move is part of a business interdependence program that was launched last year.
One of the Taiwanese firms present in the meeting is BB International Leisure and Resort Development Corp – a real estate development firm behind the Midori Clark Hotel and Casino.
One of the company’s claims to fame is being the ‘first and only casino property in Clark to invest in gaming tables that use RFID,’ according to Midori Casino Division Head Edgar Lim.
Other Taiwanese companies present at the meeting included EVA Airways and Starlux Airlines Co.
Taiwanese investment in the Clark Freeport Zone has already topped $190 million, with exports from Taiwanese firms totaling over $10 million.
Official expectations are for the freeport zone, located nearby the Clark International Airport (which in 2024 saw 2.4 million passengers), to create some 600,000 jobs once ramped up – focused on tourism, education and aviation.
Clark has proven to be fruitful ground for operators such as Hann Resorts, while more recently City of Dreams Manila operator Belle Corp announced it was pursuing Clark as a “strategic location” for further growth.
Other operators have not fared so well, such as Fontana Resort & Country Club (including its casino), whose operations were recently ‘indefinitely suspended’ by authorities for failure to meet financial obligations.
