SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – A delegation of Thai business leaders, led by Her Excellency Makawadee Sumitmor, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Philippines, recently visited Subic Bay Freeport (SBF) to explore promising investment opportunities in this strategic economic zone.

Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, Chairman and Administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), warmly received the group for a briefing, and highlighted the region’s strategic location within the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) and its potential as a hub for trade and industry.

The Thai business delegation met with the SBMA’s Business and Investment Group (BIG) on July 26 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center to discuss avenues for collaboration and potential investments in Subic.

Ambassador Sumitmor emphasized the strong investment potential for Thai companies in sectors such as energy, logistics, technology, digital innovation, and various service industries.

Representatives from the Thai embassy, the delegation, and PTT Philippines Corporation expressed optimism about future partnerships.

They pointed out that PTT Philippines Corporation, a leading oil and energy company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thailand’s PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (PTT OR), serves as a strong foundation for expanding Thai ventures within the region.

The delegation also toured key facilities and businesses within the Freeport, identifying strategic areas for investment in the LEC.

The Subic Bay Freeport Zone plays a crucial role as a western maritime gateway in the Luzon Economic Corridor, linking major economic centers including Subic, Clark, Manila, and Batangas. The LEC initiative aims to enhance infrastructure and logistics, fostering greater connectivity through substantial planned investments.

Thailand is actively pursuing opportunities in trade, logistics, and manufacturing within the Philippines’ LEC. The relative proximity of Subic Bay to Thailand, accessible by sea within three to four days, offers significant logistical advantages for Thai businesses seeking regional expansion.

Current Thai investments, exemplified by PTT Philippines, set the stage for expanded engagement across the corridor’s energy and freeport sectors, signaling growing bilateral economic cooperation.  ▲