5 October 2013 - In pursuit of its economic diplomacy objectives, the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai led by Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) Grace Relucio-Princesa and Consul General Frank Cimafranca respectively, hosted the delegation of the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) headed by its Chairman and Administrator, Hon. Deogracias G.P. Custodio last September 25 to 26.
The Embassy linked AFAB with the Jebel Ali Free Zone Area (JAFZA), one of the world’s largest and fastest growing free zones, and organized a meeting with Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed Al Janahi, Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer of JAFZA at JAFZA’s Main Office in Dubai on September 25.
During the meeting, both AFAB Administrator Custodio and JAFZA Deputy CEO/COO Al Janahi, discussed opportunities to further strengthen bilateral trade relations between the Philippines and JAFZA. In the discussions, various key freeport zone services which could be open for collaboration were discussed, including manufacturing, shipbuilding, business process outsourcing (BPO), electronics and semi-conductors, energy, logistics, tourism, and the idea of JAFZA’s “freezone” exporting. The concept of JAFZA’s “freezone” exporting means that it will share its capacity and expertise in creating world-class economic freezones to other interested parties.
JAFZA is a global developer and operator of economic zones, technology, logistics and economic parks under the Dubai World Group. It is also the 7th largest port in the world and has established 50 terminals globally with state-of-the-art technology. JAFZA also provides 21% of Dubai’s GDP.
The group also met with Mr. Martin J. Corrado, Financial Advisor of His Highness Sheikh Suroor Mohammed Bin Al Nahyan to promote the potential business and investment opportunities in the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB). Ambassador Relucio-Princesa, who made the meeting possible, is actively promoting in the U.A.E. the business and investment potentials of AFAB and the nearby industrial areas of Clark and Subic to His Highness Sheikh Surroor Mohd. Bin Al Nahyan who is a senior member of the ruling family in Abu Dhabi and a real estate magnate.
AFAB Chairman and Administrator Custodio was joined by Deputy Administrator Engr. Emmanuel D. Pineda, Planning Manager Abul Khayr M. Alonto II, Manager for AFAB Corporate Affairs Department, Mr. Francis Theodore B. Initorio while Ambassador Princesa and Consul General Cimafranca were accompanied by Vice Consul Rowena Pangilinan - Daquipil, and Attaché Sydney De Vera.
Deputy DEO/COO Al Janahi’s team, on the one hand, was joined by his team composed of JAFZA’s Senior Vice President for Global Sales Mr. Adil Al Zarooni, Asia Pacific Region’s Senior Manager for Sales Mr. Khalid Al Marzooqi and Vice President for Customer Relations and Development Mr. Omar Bin Hendi. END