Spanish Ambassador sees investment prospects in Subic Freeport

The Ambassador of Spain to the Philippines, His Excellency Miguel Ultray Delgado visited this premier Freeport and explored opportunities for more Spanish companies to invest here. 

 

During his visit to Subic Bay Freeport on May 22, 2025, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officials, led by Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño welcomed Ambassador Delgado at the administration building.

 

The delegation included the Embassy’s Trade and Economic Counsellor Silvia Torices de la Varga, Market Analyst Jose Primo Santos Mendoza, Economic and Commercial Attache Pedro González Lendínez, and Metalyset CEO Jose Moreno Sanchez Perez. 

 

“Subic Bay stands now as a beacon of economic potential, and if it can sustain this progress, it can become a premier logistics and trade hub in Southeast Asia,” Delgado said. 

 

Delgado added that as proof of its progress, Subic Bay Freeport was named among the best Economic Zones in the world in the White Paper study that the Spanish company IDOM is preparing, together with FEMOZA (World Free and Special Economic Zones Federation).

 

According to Delgado, their visit came at a perfect time as the Spanish government takes an interest in Subic, with several Spanish firms from different sectors. “We have brought here the best possible example with Metalyset, and we expect to bring more in the following years,” he added.

 

Metalyset is an international technical and industrial services company founded in 2008 in Spain by professionals with extensive experience in the metalworking industry. The company has been continuously expanding and growing, developing increasingly large-scale projects until its international expansion in 2015. 

 

Meanwhile, Chairman Aliño said that the visit is a testament to the strong ties between the Philippines and Spain, as one of the most historic sites in the Subic Bay Freeport is the Spanish Gate, the original gate of Subic.

 

Also present during the delegation’s visit is Xantheng Subic International Corporation Assistant to the CEO, Best Chang, who provided a glimpse of the various Taiwanese investments in Subic Freeport, including the Tipo High-tech Eco Park (THEP) and the Subic Bay Gateway Park (SBGP).

 

Chairman Aliño thanked the Spanish government for its unwavering support in helping develop the Philippines into an economic powerhouse in renewable energy, sustainable tourism, and maritime education.

 

Ambassador Delgado said, “By leveraging our shared history and mutual aspirations, we can foster a future that embraces innovation and inclusivity. Subic Bay, with its storied past and promising future, stands as a symbol of our enduring friendship and shared commitment to progress.” (MPD-SBMA)

 

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Subic Freeport eyes sisterhood pact with Spanish ports

In its proactive efforts to promote more businesses and marine vessel traffic in the Philippines and Spain, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officials are now looking into seeking a sister port agreement with two Spanish ports.

This came after the Federation of Philippine American Chamber of Commerce (FPACC) delegation led by President of Tourism Numeriano V. Bouffard paid a courtesy visit to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño.

During the visit, Bouffard recommended that Subic Bay establish ties with the Ports of Barcelona and Bilbao.

“This is certainly welcome news to both our countries. Both the Ports of Barcelona and Bilbao are gearing towards conducting business in renewable energies, something that the Subic Bay Freeport could learn from,” Aliño said.

Aliño said that this agreement between the Subic Bay Freeport and the Ports of Barcelona and Bilbao will be through the business network of FPACC as part of their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the SBMA to promote mutual business interests, trade, and business.

Bouffard was in Subic Freeport to invite Aliño to be one of the panel speakers in the FPACC Business Event that will be held in Orlando, Florida in the United States of America in June this year.

The SBMA official also cited that the agency will be launching trade missions in Spain this year, particularly during the third quarter, and in June 2025 in Orlando and Mexico to promote Subic ports and target companies engaged in logistics, renewable energy and manufacturing.

Currently, the Port of Barcelona is in the process of establishing a new zero-emission nautical bus service powered by solar panels or hydrogen. The said nautical bus service will also be connected to an electrical grid.

The management board of the Port of Barcelona has also approved the use of six hectares of area in the energy wharf for future green fuels and manufacturing plants.

Meanwhile, the Port Authority of Bilbao is also preparing for the second phase of the central breakwater and the electrification of docks, providing ships with electricity while their engines are turned off. The electrification of these docks would reduce carbon dioxide emissions, sounds and vibrations. (MPD-SBMA)

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