Saturday, July 28, 2007 Clark exports high in first semester
CLARK FREEPORT -- Clark Development Corporation (CDC) officials forecast exports from the Clark Freeport Zone from January to May this year to overshoot that of 2006.
CDC records showed that the higher output is seen after 83 firms exported more than US$335 million worth of various products manufactured inside Clark Freeport Zone from January to May of 2007.
The firm's Enterprise Operations and Monitoring Department (EOMD) reported to CDC president Levy Laus there is a possibility that the US$1.077-billion volume export in 2006 would be surpassed should the export trend continue in the second semester of the year.
EOMD manager Nunila Laluces told Laus that Nanox Philippines Inc. is still Clark's top exporter in the first semester with a total export volume of US$198.2 million from January to May this year.
Laluces also said Yokohama Tire Phils. Inc. placed second with US$67.8 million.
Other notable exporters in the first semester are Smart Shirts (Phils) Inc., Crismina Garments Inc., L&K Industries Philippines Inc., SMK Electronics Corporation, Golden Stone Garments Inc., L&T International Group Philippines Inc., House of Gold Jewelry Manufacturing Inc., Peninsula Fashion International Corporation, among others.
Five garment firms are among the 10 top exporters. The other three top exporters are still Japanese firms -- two electronic firms and a tire manufacturing firm -- and a Korean jewelry factory.
Laluces reported that Smart Shirts exported US$16.7 million worth of garments for the first five months of the year.
The exporting industries in Clark have been noted by the trade department recently as one of the prime economic boosters in Central Luzon following a strong export last year and expected to contribute to the economic development.
Central Luzon usually ranks third among the 16 regions, including Metro Manila, in terms of export receipts due to the presence of economic zones in Subic and in Pampanga and Tarlac provinces. (DMF)
