PEZA, CAAP ink accord to put up ‘aerotropolis’ ecozones for aviation industry

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) have signed an accord for the establishment of “aerotropolis” economic zones (ecozones) in the country.

In a statement on Thursday, PEZA said its chief Director General Charito Plaza and CAAP Director General Captain Jim Sydiongco signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which serves as the parties’ initial commitment to cooperate in the establishment of aerotropolis ecozones and/or aerotropolis-linked ecozones by utilizing CAAP’s idle and unproductive real estate assets throughout the country.

“We are grateful for CAAP’s cooperation with PEZA to be innovative in harnessing one of the factors of investments—the air transportation facility and processes in the country—in order to maintain the competitiveness of the Philippines and our brand as the investment destination or haven in Asia,” said Plaza.

“As we all may know, efficient connectivity through established infrastructures for transportation and logistics facilities by air, land, and sea are crucial factors for ease of doing business (EODB) and lesser cost of doing business. Without it, we cannot build linkages and delivery and exchange of goods and services,” she added.

Under the MOU, PEZA and CAAP will jointly promote the establishment of aerotropolis ecozones to attract investments in aviation industry-related manufacturing industries, logistics services and maintenance, repair and operations, including, but not limited to, emerging companies involved in renewable energy technologies and food terminal hubs.

Both parties may, likewise explore opportunities for joint venture operation of economic zones or through Public-Private Partnership Scheme and to train world-class workers specifically for airline industries so that there is ready supply of ecozone workers needed for that industry, according to PEZA.

“[I]t is also high time for us to develop our idle lands and attract companies that will spearhead the technology transfer, opening doors for more opportunities for Filipinos in the aviation industry-related sectors and services,” said Plaza. — BM, GMA News