THE biggest investment and trade exposition will be hosted by the Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation Inc. (CLGCFI) and Department of Trade and Industry in Central Luzon (DTI-3) on October 17 to 18 at the Asean Convention Center in Clark Freeport.
The first Central Luzon Expo (CLExpo) is expected to draw international and local business communities, potential investors, Philippine and foreign embassies, national and local government agencies, academic institutions, and other stakeholders.
During the event, the investment potentials of the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales will be presented.
The expo, with the theme “Central Luzon: Opportunities. Progress. The Future”, aims to position Central Luzon as one of the most dynamic investment destinations in the country considering its strategic location as the gateway to Asia, accessibility to three international airports, expanding infrastructure facilities, and the highly-anticipated full development of the New Clark City.
“We have a vision for Central Luzon and we are committed to promoting and developing the region’s small and medium enterprises and enhancing the local government’s competitiveness, all for creating a business and investment-enabling environment and promote the region to local and international investors as North Luzon’s main business hub,” said Tarlac Governor and CLGCFI President Susan Yap.
The expo is expected to highlight the region in the areas of trade, tourism, and investment. The organizers of the Expo will also host business-to-business meetings, and showcase local products, services, and tourism destinations.
The CLExpo, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment-Region 3 (DOLE-3), will also host labor matching sessions for job seekers and private companies in the region.
Another highlight of the event is the Industry Forum, where the region's priority programs and investment opportunities will be presented to investors and other private sector participants.
The CLGCFI was created to provide policy decisions and to facilitate planning, coordination, and monitoring of trade and investment-related projects for the region.
It is composed of the seven (7) governors of the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales; the DTI Undersecretary for Industry and Investments; and the DTI-3 Regional Director.
Aside from the DTI, the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Subic Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD), and the Board of Investments (BOI) are the partners for this big event.