SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – About 60 delegates and stakeholders in the port and maritime industry converged in this premier Freeport zone as the two-day conference and exhibit of the 10th International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) 2008 kicked off at Subic Bay Exhibit and Convention Center here.
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator and CEO Armand C. Arreza welcomed the seven-port member delegations from Kochi in Japan, Mokpo in South Korea, Qingdao in China, Tanjung Perak in Indonesia, Colombo in Sri Lanka, and Subic and Cebu in the Philippines.
Arreza said Subic will continue to share INAP’s vision of an intra regional network with strong economic and cultural ties to fellow member ports.
“We commit to develop the port of Subic to foster the growth of seaport trade and maritime related industries here. We will also promote the stands of INAP by encouraging other major port of the Philippines to become member ports because the greater the INAP becomes, the greater good it can do to its members and the maritime industry,” Arreza said.
INAP was established in 1998 in Colombo, Sri Lanka as an international network of sister ports and plain ports.
It aims to to promote the development of each member port as an international port through exchanging information on the latest wharf, sea transportations, the international and local economy of each member ports. This is to realize economic growth and to promote mutual understanding through economic and cultural exchanges among the local areas.
Outgoing INAP chairman Governor Masanao Ozaki of Kochi Prefecture said “ultimately, INAP aims at realizing an eco-friendly society and the harmony of the global community through these activities.”
“When we look at the recent circumstances of sea transportation, the ups and downs of fuel price is drifting, the management of all city companies are accelerating rationalization of continental lines throughout the world. Also during these recent talk exchanges, the global economy is frustrating in such a manner that the world sea transportation business is facing difficulties,” Osaki said.
“In such circumstances, each member port should understand the true picture of the global sea transportation business that is changing rapidly. The role of INAP is very significant, Osaki added.
Meanwhile, Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Atty. Oscar Sevilla delivered the message of Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Leando Mendoza.
In his message, Mendoza congratulated the SBMA for hosting this event which brings together the distinguished INAP members and stakeholders of the maritime industry of the Asian region.
The conference offers an opportune time for the participants to discuss issues and concerns on maritime trade in the Asian region in the like of the present global financial crisis. It also served as a venue to discuss possible multilateral economic opportunities for local and foreign businesses in terms of trade, tourism and investments, he said.
Mendoza also said this event will also serve as a venue to showcase the international products and services of two of our country’s logistic centers, the Subic and Clark Economic zones.
“I have no doubts that this conference will serve to strengthen the cooperation among members of the INAP. Your conference theme “Emerging Roles for Asian Ports” manifests your strong commitment towards the advancement of ports and harbor both at the local and international fronts. You have also served as a catalyst for growth by promoting and conducting consultation for cooperation, exchange of information and providing marketing and planning ideas among each member ports thereby strengthening the economic relations of traders, shippers and port operators in the Asian region,” he added.
“We are in the situation where we cannot fall back, but rather, we should brace for the challenges ahead. This should not discourage us from seeking the best opportunities. We must prepare to compete in the most efficient and most economical ways. Asia must not only survive in this global competition, our region must prevail,” Mendoza said.
