Subic expects increased port operations with Taiwan-based shipping lines

Port operations in the country’s premier Freeport is expected to experience increased activities as the Government of Taiwan expressed keen interest in forging a partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

In a recent visit to the free port, executive officials from Taiwan Maritime and Port Bureau led by Deputy Director General Lee Yuan-Wan manifested to SBMA OIC-Administrator Atty. Randy Escolango the possibility of building a transshipment partnership between Taiwan and Subic Bay.

The partnership aims to increase the volume of container traffic between the Port of Subic Bay and Taiwan Ports, thru Yang Ming Shipping Lines.

In response, Escolango urged the Taiwanese officials to encourage industries in Taichung to use the Port of Subic as their gateway in the region.

The visit of the Taiwanese delegation to the Port of Subic is a result of SBMA’s participation in the 22nd Philippines-Taiwan Joint Economic Conference held on October 27-28 in Taipei, Taiwan.

The "Southbound Policy" of the Government of Taiwan has initiated concrete measures in prioritizing countries south of Taiwan, including the Philippines, in the area of trade and investments.

Due to this paradigm shift, the Philippines is taking advantage of this opportunity to capture the matured growth of industries in Taiwan in the fields of high-value manufacturing, innovation, logistics and transshipment, renewable energy, e-commerce and financing.

Escolango noted that Taiwan is the Philippines' 6th trading partner with US$7.85 billion worth of bilateral trade in 2015.

At present, there are 52 Taiwanese companies in Subic Freeport, mostly inside the Taiwanese-run Subic Bay Gateway Park, with over US$500 million worth of investments generating 12,500 jobs. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)


PHOTO:
SBMA Office of the Administrator OIC Atty. Randy Escolango (left) explains the developments at the Port of Subic to visiting Taiwanese maritime officials.

(From left) Escolango, Taiwan Port and Maritime Bureau Deputy Director General Lee Yuan-Wan, Hsu Chia-Chu of International Affairs Planning Division and Maritime Affairs Administration Division Technical Specialist Tu Wen-Yun.