TAGUIG CITY — Clark may soon gain wider international visibility after the World Free Zones Organization (WFZO), a global association of some 1,600 economic zones in 163 countries, offered to feature the freeport on its international platforms and communications channels.
The opportunity was discussed during a meeting between Clark Development Corp. president and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera and Dr. Mohammed Alzarooni, chairman of the WFZO board of directors, executive chairman of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones, and secretary-general of the Dubai Free Zone Council at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila here.
WFZO offered to onboard Clark to its “One Zone” platform, where member zones can showcase investment opportunities, developments, and updates to the organization’s international network. The organization also offered to feature Clark in its newsletters and communications channels and facilitate connections with other economic zones worldwide.
WFZO likewise encouraged CDC to strengthen its participation in the organization through knowledge-sharing, networking, investment facilitation, policy dialogue, and capacity-building initiatives.
Devanadera said the engagement provides an opportunity for Clark to learn from and contribute to the global free zone community while sharing its own development experience.
“The most successful economic zones do not operate in isolation. They grow by learning from international best practices, building partnerships, and continuously improving the services they provide to investors,” she said.
“Clark’s experience shows that competitiveness is strengthened when investment promotion, efficient governance, infrastructure, human capital, and economic activity work together. We welcome opportunities to share our lessons and learn from other economic zones around the world,” the CDC chief added.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for CDC to present Clark’s development model, including its economic zone operations, investment facilitation services, tourism and MICE activities, logistics and aviation assets, government services, and business interdependence initiatives among locators.
WFZO officials expressed interest in Clark’s integrated approach, which combines investment promotion, economic zone management, tourism, logistics, aviation, and public services within a single ecosystem. Discussions also covered emerging areas shaping the future of economic zones, including innovation, advanced manufacturing, technology, sustainability, data centers, and talent development.
CDC is a member of the World Free Zones Organization, whose annual congresses bring together economic zone authorities, policymakers, business leaders, and investment promotion organizations from around the world.
The meeting also explored opportunities for increased engagement between CDC and the World Free Zones Organization, including initiatives that could further raise Clark’s profile within the international economic zone community.
Joining Atty. Devanadera were CDC vice president for business development and business enhancement group Atty. Noelle Mina Meneses, vice president for security services PMGen. Lina Sarmiento (Ret.), assistant vice president for administration Atty. Bonifacio Tarenio Jr., tourism promotions division manager Elenita Lorenzo, communications division manager Astrud Aguinaldo, and assistant manager for tourism Charisse Marie Lacson.
Also present during the meeting were Dr. Matthew Stephenson, CEO of the WFZO, and Dr. James Zhan, chief advisor of the organization and former director of investment and enterprise at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. CDC-PR
