A study that will determine the feasibility of establishing a special economic zone (SEZ) dedicated to agro-industry and information technology inside the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) campus will be commencing soon.
UPLB in a statement said a team from the Sycip Gorres and Velayo (SGV), who will be conducting the feasibility study, came to visit the site of the Agro-Industrial and Information Technology Parks Project on Jan. 30.
UPLB Chancellor Jose V. Camacho Jr. and Director Romel M. Carlos of the Technology Transfer and Business Development Office accompanied the SGV team to the site of the SEZ, which will occupy 70 hectares inside the UPLB Agricultural and Life Sciences Complex.
A short meeting was held after the site visit to discuss the timeline and scope of the project.
On May 30, 2019, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center of the National Economic Development Authority announced that its Project Development and Monitoring Facility Committee had approved support for UPLB’s SEZs to cover the following: project feasibility study and project structuring; preparation of bid documents and assistance during the PPP bidding process; and assistance and advisory until financial close.
The PDMF Committee is the approving body for project support applications to the PDMF, a revolving fund managed by the PPP Center to develop bankable PPP projects and to ensure effective monitoring of project implementation.
Following the PDMF approval, the PPP Center, represented by Executive Director Ferdinand A. Pecson and UP, represented by President Danilo L. Concepcion signed the Technical Assistance Agreement covering the project on Jan. 8, 2020.
The project is envisioned to be the preferred destination of locators for a robust academe-industry partnership with UPLB playing an active role in delivering innovative new products and services to the market.