British companies urged New Clark City investment

BCDA president and chief executive officer Aileen R. Zosa said that the companies participated in the development of the Philippines’ first smart, sustainable and green metropolis

NEW CLARK CITY — The Bases Conversion and Development Authority and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are one in urging British companies to invest in this Freeport zone during a roadshow at the Regent’s University in London, UK.

In the investment briefing dubbed as the New Clark City: The Philippines’ Sustainable Future City and Green Investment Destination, the BCDA and the UK FCDO told British companies to explore investment possibilities in New Clark City.

During the roadshow, BCDA president and chief executive officer Aileen R. Zosa said that the companies participated in the development of the Philippines’ first smart, sustainable and green metropolis.

The roadshow gained an audience of almost 60 British investors involved in priority industries, such as information and communications technology, hospitality, transportation, and research and development.

“We are extremely proud of this collaboration with the Philippine government, in particular the BCDA, and we are excited for the wider UK stakeholders to likewise be involved in the array of opportunities opening in New Clark City,” said UK Ambassador to the Philippines and Palau Laure Beaufils.

“As the country’s first smart, resilient and green metropolis, New Clark City offers a unique opportunity for the UK to work with the Government of the Philippines in boosting investment and driving local growth that opens up transparent, competitive opportunities for international business, including British business,” she added.

Through the investment roadshow, BCDA highlighted the business readiness of New Clark City, as well as its competitive advantages with emphasis on optimal location, robust workforce, and advanced infrastructure to attract potential locators and partners.

“I am proud to present New Clark City, BCDA’s next frontier of development, as it is expected to catalyze inclusive and sustainable growth in Central and Northern Luzon in the Philippines. We invite UK investors to look at the investment opportunities in New Clark City and be part of this development,” Zosa said.

The BCDA was also able to conduct business-to-business meetings with interested companies, and learn from the UK’s expertise in mixed-use development, infrastructure planning and data center management through the conduct of a study tour.

The delegation met with different UK organizations, such as Transport for London, Foster and Partners, Connected Places Catapult, and London Legacy Development Corp. to discuss potential collaborations on sustainable infrastructure and smart cities planning.

The outbound mission was part of UK FCDO’s assistance to the BCDA under its Global Future Cities program which aims to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth and urban resilience in 19 cities across the world, including New Clark City.

Prior to this, UK FCDO in April this year turned over to BCDA an integrated sustainability plan for the state-run corporation. This included the design of the New Clark City Central Park, a 44.8-hectare open recreational space envisioned to become one of the largest public parks in the Philippines, as well as a 33.89-hectare affordable housing project, also in New Clark City.

UK FCDO also delivered the framework for the creation of a Sustainability Unit in BCDA.