SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Representatives from approximately 50 U.S. companies have expressed strong interest in investing in the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), a key economic zone recognized for its strategic role in the logistics sector.
Leading the delegation was Thomas Hardy, Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), during the Luzon Economic Corridor Investment Forum held at the Best Western Hotel, Subic Bay Freeport.
Joining the delegation, consisting not only of American businesses, were representatives from international companies, development partners, and major financial institutions seeking to explore business opportunities within Subic Bay Freeport and the broader LEC region.
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño, together with other SBMA officials, warmly welcomed the delegates. They were joined by stakeholders from the Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation (SBITC) and other freeport investors aiming to engage in productive Business-to-Business (B2B) engagements, addressing inquiries from the visiting foreign companies.
“As the host of the Subic leg of the LEC Investment Forum, this delegation has a unique opportunity to participate in meaningful B2B discussions, tour Subic Freeport, and explore avenues for deepening economic integration across the Luzon Economic Corridor. Participants are highly encouraged to explore investment opportunities, pathways to collaborate, and how they can positively impact the success of the LEC initiative,” said Chairman Aliño.
Sponsored by the USTDA, Aliño emphasized that this visit highlights Subic Bay Freeport’s vital role in the LEC’s foundational tripartite partnership among the Philippines, the United States, and Japan.
He further noted that the LEC project has since expanded to include partners from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
“This is excellent news for Subic Bay as a critical western maritime gateway and strategic logistics hub, connecting major centers such as Clark, Manila, and Batangas. It underscores our commitment to advancing infrastructure, enhancing supply chain resilience, and attracting technology investments within the corridor,” Aliño added.
In line with these developments, the USTDA reaffirmed its support for secure, robust, and resilient supply chains by facilitating the expansion of port infrastructure at Subic Bay.
USTDA’s partnership with Subic Drydock Corporation will fund a feasibility study to enhance the Philippines’ capacity as a regional hub for ship repair and maintenance, thereby reinforcing Subic Bay’s strategic importance within the LEC through reliable, U.S.-aligned infrastructure solutions.
USTDA also announced a new initiative to strengthen the U.S.-Philippines alliance by piloting AI-enhanced, U.S.-manufactured Wi-Fi access points at strategically selected locations nationwide. In partnership with Philippine telecommunications company ComClark Network and Technology Corporation, the project includes funding a feasibility study to deploy a nationwide network of paid public Wi-Fi access points.
The initiative will introduce new markets for American AI technologies while providing reliable and trusted internet connectivity to over 600,000 Filipinos, including residents along the Luzon Economic Corridor.
