The Philippines’ debut in the prestigious airshow exhibition in Singapore this late February promises to promote the Philippines’ blooming aviation sector and bring more investments to the country.
The Singapore Airshow is the premiere international aerospace and defense exhibition in the Asian region that will provide Philippine aviation industry players the avenue to foster international partnerships with government, military, and business officials, showcase local innovations, and build alliances.
The Philippine Pavilion in the airshow is the collaborative effort of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) with the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA), the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), and Berthaphil unit operating at the Clark International Airport (CRK).
The mission of the Philippine delegation in the airshow is to meet up and touch bases with their locators in Singapore namely urban planning firm Surbana Jurong, and affiliates of technology solutions company ST Engineering affiliates, according to BCDA Executive Vice President Atty. Gisela Kalalo.
“The intention for this event is to entice more airlines to mount flights in Clark, and entice aerospace firms, logistics players, and even tourism arrivals to go to Clark. Make Clark their next business destination,” said Kalalo in a press conference for the airshow on Friday, Feb. 2.
Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) Vice Chairman Maximilian Motschmann noted that many Filipinos are working on-the-floor and behind-the-scenes in international aerospace centers
“Clark [and Subic] is ideally located to bring back the know-how of our Filipino compatriots back to the Philippines. We are trying to entice investments in Singapore with major aircraft manufacturers,” said Motschmann.
“We welcome investors in any part of the aviation industry to look at the Philippines, invest in education and logistics. Whatever it takes to improve the industry. The Philippines is open for business. I believe that aviation is a major catalyst in spurring demand because we provide connectivity,” said DOTr Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Roberto Lim.
The 44 square meter pavillion will especially highlight the CRK as an attractive emerging multi-use airport for general aviation and transhipment of goods for potential investors.
CIAC President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Arrey Perez said they are honored that the CRK was chosen to represent the Philippines at the exhibition, which will open more investment opportunities for Clark.
He shared that CIAC already has ongoing discussions with one of Singapore's largest companies Temasek Holdings Ltd, through its subsidiary Surban Jurong who was involved in the development of the Changi Airport, and the design and construction of the CRK.
The pavillion will also feature info booths of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), AeroStrategies, Philippine Airlines (PAL), the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), Aviation Concepts Technical Services (ACTSI), Alpha Aviation Group, Navfix Flight Services Inc., Wingbox Aviation Inc., Omni Aviation Corp., and METROJET Ltd.
“Aviation has had over a century of operations in the Philippines. The prominent initiatives currently ongoing regard to airport infrastructure development, process digitization, and keen attention on the road to NetZero, along with our jewel, the world class skill and service quality of Filipino professionals will take us to new heights,” said Lim.
As the ECCP spearheads the delegation's participation in the event, ECCP Executive Director Florian Gottein remarked that it will “showcase the Philippines on the global stage and pave the way for fruitful collaborations.”
The Singapore Airshow will be held at the Changi Exhibition Center in Singapore from Feb. 20 to 25.