Foreign Trade Service Corps of the Department of Trade and Industry recently took part in an immersive two-day symposium and asset tour in Cebu, aimed at enhancing their knowledge of infrastructure investments. Organized by Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, the event offered valuable insights into the operations of industrial estates and airports, sectors vital to the country’s growing trade and investment landscape.
Co-hosted by AIC Economic Estates, which manages Mactan Economic Zone 2 and West Cebu Estate, and Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation, the operator of Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the symposium provided FTSC members with hands-on experiences.
Attendees toured AIC’s key infrastructure sites, learning about the strategic management of industrial zones and airports. The event also included regional consultations, fostering dialogue between the private and public sectors, as well as local business leaders.
Christopher M. Camba, AIC’s First Vice President and Head of Corporate Affairs, emphasized the event’s goal to create deeper partnerships and highlight the role of infrastructure in fostering trade and investment. “Through initiatives like ‘AIC Conversations,’ we aim to showcase the impact infrastructure has on driving economic growth,” he said.
Cosette V. Canilao, AIC’s President and CEO, echoed this sentiment, underscoring the synergy between AIC Economic Estates and MCIA, which together boost the region’s business potential and global connectivity.
MEZ2 Estate and WCE, both PEZA-registered developments, represent key drivers of regional growth. MEZ2, a 63-hectare mixed-use estate in Lapu-Lapu City, hosts over 60 locators, while WCE, known as the “Shipbuilding Capital of the Philippines,” spans 540 hectares. These estates, alongside the award-winning MCIA, position Cebu as a central hub for international trade and investment.
With MCIA seeing over 10 million passengers in 2023, AIC’s infrastructure continues to play a pivotal role in the region’s economic growth.
