Siemens eyes investments in Clark ‘green city’

German conglomerate Siemens AG is joining the queue of potential investors that will concretize the envisioned US$14.00 billion (roughly R700 billion) “new green city” to be developed within the confines of the Clark freeport zone and will then have targeted links to the main economic centers in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.

In an interview with Siemens Global chief executive officer Joe Kaeser, he indicated that they are eyeing to invest in energy as well as on infrastructure build-up at the blueprinted “Clark Green City.”

During his short visit in the country last week, the chief executive of the Munich-headquartered multinational giant held initial discussions with Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) president and CEO Vivencio B. Dizon on the green city’s five-phased development prospects.

“We are exploring investments in this country for energy and infrastructure – there is this whole aspect of rebuilding and re-cultivating, like the Clark Green City, it’s a good opportunity really for infrastructure build,” Kaeser said.

In his meeting with BCDA which is the agency overseeing Clark Development Corporation, he noted that discussions centered on “how we can contribute about energy, energy management as well as on infrastructure.”

Kaeser qualified the project is an exciting opportunity “because there is a new city being built from the ‘greenfields’ – which will make a lot of sense.”

Siemens, he added, explores with Philippine government “the highest quality of energy system that we can offer for this – like for energy management, for smart building, for water and for safety and security.”

Beyond that, the eventual plan to link Clark Green City to Manila and other economic hubs through efficient transport and possible rail systems would also be very much in the German firm’s radar of investment targets.