Tuesday, October 03, 2006 Laus: Clark has potential as 1st class trade site By Reynaldo G. Navales
* New prexy has high hopes for firm
CLARK ECOZONE -- Newly-installed president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Clark Development Corporation Levy P. Laus has cited the potential of Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) as a world class investment site.
“There is an illustrious and promising future that beckons us. I have the highest hopes and huge confidence that we can work together as a world-class team to make that dream come true,” Laus said in his speech during Monday’s flag-raising and turnover ceremonies.
Laus asked for the cooperation of CDC employees to achieve the vision of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the economic zone.
Angelo Lopez, Public Relations Department manager of CDC, said most of the locators and other stakeholders in Clark welcomed Laus’ appointment to CDC.
“Next to President Macapagal-Arroyo, we expect Mr. Laus to be the best marketing and promotions expert for the zone,” Lopez said.
Laus, the eighth president and CEO of CDC, said “no one is smarter than all of us put together. Each of us has enough intelligence, training, good attitude and a personal vision that, in the context of synergy, can really do wonders for CDC and Clark.”
“What we do here, individually and collectively, is what we invest in the future not only of this place and its people, but of a much bigger community,” he said.
“I have gratefully accepted my appointment as CDC president fully aware of the enormous and colossal challenges of the task. I am very confident that with your full and unwavering support and commitment, we can move ahead,” Laus said.
Armed with 30 years of experience in corporate work, business management, entrepreneurship, community development and civic works, corporate governance and government policy making, Laus said he does not bring any promises.
“I came here with commitment and visions that will held us continually shape the image, the direction and future of this region and country,” he said.
He also vowed to champion the vision for productive employment and vigorous economic activity.
Laus had been appointed directors of various government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) including the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation, and Bataan Technology Park Incorporated from 2001-2003.
He is also the chairman of various companies under the Laus Group of Companies, which owns most of the auto brands such as Mitsubishi CarWorld, Ford Pampanga, Premier Cars BMW, GM Pampanga, Izusu and Kia; a non-life insurance firm; food chains; among others.
At present, Laus is the chairman of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, San Fernando Heritage Foundation, and Pampanga Investment Board.
The appointment of Laus as CDC top official was earlier lauded by the Metro Clark Advisory Council (MCAC). “This is a signal of what could be an unprecedented working partnership between local chief executives and the state-owned corporation,” said Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales who is also the co-chair of the MCAC.
Laus’ business expertise could be a plus factor in running the corporate affairs of CDC in line with President Arroyo?s vision of the Luzon Urban Development Beltway where Clark is among the areas that would generate economic growth, Morales said.
Francisco Villanueva, Jr., president of Clark Investors and Locators Association (Cila), said they are “elated” by the appointment of Laus because he will bring his years of experience in running the LGC to the state-owned corporation.
“It will be a plus factor in running a government-owned corporation. He is one of the most successful businessmen in Pampanga or even in the entire country. This would be good to CDC because he can apply his business and at the same time political savvy in running the corporation,” he said.
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