The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Thursday said its top officials have met with United States-based companies ahead of the trade mission of US Secretary of Commerce Gina Riamondo here next week.

The BCDA said its Chairman Delfin Lorenzana and its President and chief executive officer Joshua Bingcang pitched Clark as an investment destination for more than 100 US companies that attended the recent Senior Leaders Seminar in Washington DC.

The seminar was led by Raimondo herself, who will be visiting the Philippines for a Presidential Trade and Investment Mission from March 11 to 12, which delegation includes US firms.

“From a former US military air base, Clark has grown into being the top tourist destination and investment hub in Central Luzon. With significant developments happening in Clark, many US companies are taking notice. This is why they want to have a big role in Clark developments,” Bingcang said.

Among the development projects in Clark that were pitched to US companies are the 296.5-acre Filinvest Innovation Park, a USD2-billion data center co-location facility, a USD172-million solid waste management and waste-to-energy project, and a USD17.9-million solar photovoltaic power plant all in New Clark City.

Outside the New Clark City, the BCDA also invited US companies to look into opportunities in investing in the USD152-million Clark National Food Hub as well as road and transport infrastructure projects such as the USD3.17-billion Subic-Clark-Batangas Railway System, the USD100-million Clark Integrated Public Transport System, and the USD60-million expansion of airside capabilities of Clark International Airport.

For his part, Lorenzana highlighted the role of public-private partnership in developing these projects in Clark.

According to BCDA, Clark is home to over 1,000 companies as of 2023, including US firms such as Texas Instruments, FedEx, UPS, Hilton and Marriott. (PNA)