SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -- A Korean shipbuilding firm and a Taiwanese computer maker led Subic in its latest record of high export value totaling to $713.15 million for the first half of the year.
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in a statement Monday said the export production of Subic indicated an increase of $180.26 or 33.83 percent, compared to the $532.89 million generated in the same period last year.
Hanjin Heavy Industries Company-Philippines (HHIC-Phil) was the biggest contributor with $372.74 million, while Wistron Infocom posted $66.71 million. Japanese wood products manufacturer Juken Sangyo placed third with $24.86 million.
Also in the top 10 list were Taiwanese lock maker Tong Lung (Phil.) Metal Industry with $23.7 million; Japanese electronics sensor maker Nicera, with $14.42 million; newcomer Taiwanese firm Tapu Corporation, which manufactures metal products, with $10.9 million; Taiwanese aircon maker Hitachi, $9.51 million; and another Taiwanese newcomer Cano Subic Corporation, also a metal producer, with $8.28 million.
SBMA figures also indicated that the biggest export values were recorded in the first quarter of the year, with $230 million in February, $181 million in January, and $119 million in March.
Meanwhile, the second quarter yielded $67 million in June, $60 million in April, and $55 million in May.
Meanwhile, import value from January to June this year stood at $1.64 billion, up by $539.53 million or 48.88 percent from last year's $1.1 billion.
"Hanjin, for one, is expected to rally its production in the coming months. After delivering container ships like the APL Bahrain, Leyla K, and Eser K in the first semester, Hanjin is set to fabricate some 36 vessels more, with delivery schedules within the next two years," Armand Arreza of SBMA said.
"So we're expecting Hanjin to remain as the Subic free port's top exporter for the next few years, and also fuel the growth of Subic's maritime industry." Arreza added. (Anthony Bayarong)