(27 March 2025, Manila) - The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) was recently invited to participate in the CREATE MORE Domestic Roadshow event, organized by the Office Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Secretary Frederick D. Go, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, led the roadshow which shall also have foreign legs to different international markets. In his keynote address, he recognized APECO’s resurgence and highlighted its growing role in the foreign investment landscape. His remarks underscored the potential of APECO as a key player in both domestic and foreign trade investments given the Casiguran-based investment promotion agency’s new strategic directions on food security, energy security, and national security while maintaining its tourism identity and investing in key port infrastructures namely the APECO Airport and Casiguran Seaport. This recognition signals a new chapter for APECO, attracting interest from international commercial entities and foreign representatives eager to explore investment opportunities in the economic zone.
A significant outcome from APECO’s participation was continued engagement with international representatives and foreign business chambers and groups. Notably, Commercial Counsellor Volkan Göller of the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey sought to introduce a Turkish defense industry manufacturer to APECO for an exploratory meeting. Additionally, APECO had a chance encounter with the Japan Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc. (JCCPI) where discussions with the incoming Chamber President Mr. Kazuhiro Nomura and Secretary General Mr. Hisatoshi Yada led to an invite to APECO to join the prestigious chamber as an associate member.
Looking ahead, APECO is set to participate in the foreign legs of the CREATE MORE Roadshow starting with the Republic of South Korea. Through the guidance and support from the OSAPIEA and Board of Investments (BOI), APECO is confident that it can establish its own identity that’s distinct yet complementary to the other Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) in the Philippines. With a proactive approach and patient resolve, APECO is poised to become a premier investment market for trade and investment both domestically and internationally.
