The Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA) is exploring the concept of a “Greater Manila Bay Area” which was proposed in a forum hosted by the Chinese business community.
“The concept of a Greater Manila Bay Area is something that can be looked at a little deeper. We welcome investments from all parts of the globe,” said OSAPEIA Secretary Frederick Go.
The idea emerged in the meeting between Philippine business groups and the Hong Kong Business Group, with another dialog planned to kickstart the project’s development.
While still in its early stages, the concept leverages the existing Luzon Economic Corridor and its railway network supported by the United States and Japan to create an integrated economic zone around Manila Bay.
Go said the move could attract significant investments and spark economic growth in the region.
The project has the potential to redefine the economic landscape of the Manila Bay Area, creating more room for innovation, trade and investment, while deepening the already strong economic ties between the Philippines and China.
The idea, proffered by Chinese General Chamber of Commerce-Hong Kong chairman Jonathan Choi Koon-shum during the Philippine-China Forum on Aug. 22, 2024 envisions a “Greater Bay Area of Cavite, Bataan and Zambales” centered around Manila Bay, similar to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA).
“We welcome the Philippines to join the GBA in a parallel capacity,” said Choi Koon-shum.
“We hope that the Philippines will also create a similar GBA that will include growth areas in Manila, Cavite, Bataan and Zambales with Manila Bay as its anchor,” he said.
“We can expand our trade relations [with China] through the Greater Bay Area in the field of electronics and textiles. The region’s demand for high-quality goods aligns perfectly with the Philippines’ export strength,” said Association for Philippines-China Understanding chairman Raul Lambino.
