CLARK FREE PORT—Investments in the Clark Free-port Zone here grew by a hefty 400 percent last year compared with the 2006 figures, Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president Levy Laus revealed here Wednesday.

Laus attributed Clark’s remarkable growth to President Arroyo’s “strong economic performance” anchored on sound economic policies and reforms.

In an interview with radio station dwRW-FM in Pampanga, Laus said the 400-percent rise in investment was part of six-point gains attained by the former American air facility over the past two years following his appointment to the CDC post in 2006. He identified the other milestone achievements as the conversion of Clark from economic zone to a free-port zone and the grant of tax amnesty to Clark locators, the entry of Texas Instrument (TI), that brought in P1-billion initial investment, the upgrading to world-class status of the Mimosa golf course, the forging of a joint- management agreement for the vast subzone area for the Aeta minority tribes, and the reclassification of Clark as a world-class investment and tourist destination.

The CDC chief also cited the construction of an interchange in Clark for the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway for giving added dimension to Clark’s investment attractions.

“With all this in sight, we are definitely bullish about Clark,” Laus said. He added that even President Arroyo was impressed by the feedback she received from various sectors here and abroad over the developments at Clark Free-port Zone.

Laus disclosed that during his call to Malacañang on Monday, the President, reacting to a positive remark made by a business leader, noted the conducive investment climate in Clark.

TI’s arrival, Laus said, vigorously pushed investment levels in Clark to the P90-billion mark, giving rise to the 400-percent growth. “Definitely, the coming of TI was a high-water mark because it put Clark on the global investment map, considering that TI is among the four leading semi-conductor companies worldwide.”

Laus recalled that even the President had described TI’s investment as “one of the biggest in Philippine history.”

With the projected entry of more locators, Laus painted a rosy employment picture for Clark, predicting that job opportunities would swell from the current 55,000 level to 58,000 as TI suppliers, call centers and other businesses are set to start operations soon.

Laus also cited Presidential Adviser for Central Luzon Edgardo Pamintuan, Sen. Lito Lapid, former senator Ralph Recto, and other national and local officials, as well as executives and employees of state-run firms in Clark, CDC and the Clark International Airport for their contribution to Clark’s transformation into a prime global investment and tourism destination.

PRESIDENT Arroyo on Wednesday boldly asserted that the Philippines is strong enough to withstand the US economic slowdown and will not be derailed from its “permanent growth path.”

CLARK FREE PORT—Investments in the Clark Free-port Zone here grew by a hefty 400 percent last year compared with the 2006 figures, Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president Levy Laus revealed here Wednesday.

POWER market operator Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC) said on Wednesday the Visayan operation of the wholesale electricity spot market (WESM) will be delayed to allow further time for participants to complete registration and test their market-trading interface systems.

THE National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office II (NRO II) in Tuguegarao has already piloted the P27.15-million worth National Geographic Convergence Program in Isabela.

MANY of the country’s problems in trade and the economy in general are rooted on the flawed economic policies and political unrest during the post-World War II period, according to a former agriculture official.

THE Cebu provincial government and towns in northwestern Cebu are drafting a master plan to develop the area into a tourist attraction while protecting its natural resources.

DTI Direct serves a mechanism for adopting a “no-wrong-door policy” in order to provide fast, reliable and uniform customer support with just one number to call: 751-3330. This system was devised to save clients the time and frustration of being given the runaround by providing their needed information or assistance at the soonest time possible.