- The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority is pitching its economic zone as a gateway to East Asia and the US West Coast for Indonesian businesses
- APECO can serve as an alternative maritime route amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and disruptions in global trade, according to APECO president and chief executive officer Gil Taway IV
The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) is pitching its economic zone as a gateway to East Asia and the US West Coast for Indonesian businesses.
The ecozone’s location in Casiguran, Aurora gives Indonesian exporters a direct entry point to Northeast Asian and US markets, APECO president and chief executive officer Gil Taway IV told Indonesian businesses during the freeport authority’s recent business forum attended by a delegation from the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN).
“Your nearest gateway facing Japan, Korea, and the United States West Coast is in APECO,” Taway said.
“APECO is located right at the center of the Indo-Pacific Corridor. Indonesian exporters therefore can significantly reduce both cost and time in moving goods to and from these key markets,” he added.
Moreover, Taway said APECO can serve as an alternative maritime route amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and disruptions in global trade.
“While others may offer access, APECO offers not only the nearest access but also an advantage — your supply chains to northern Pacific markets and diversify Indonesia’s export routes,” Taway said.
The APECO chief highlighted complementary strengths between the Philippines and Indonesia. While Indonesia brings minerals and agricultural resources, Aurora offers fisheries, coconut plantations, and direct Pacific access.
Opportunities include cold storage, canning, food processing with halal certification, as well as coconut-based additives, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
The ecozone is also being positioned for renewable energy projects such as solar, tidal, and wind farms, and as a potential hub for defense and logistics in line with the Philippines’ modernization drive.
“Together, we can open new markets, create jobs, and write a new chapter in Indonesia-Philippine relations,” Taway said.
APECO, created in 2007, has long been mired in controversy over stalled projects, governance disputes, and land issues. Taway, who assumed office in October 2023, acknowledged that the ecozone “was marred by unpleasant issues and by lack of clear direction.”
“But instead of being deterred, we embraced these realities as the starting point for change and treated them both as a challenge and an inspiration,” he said. “This is our story of redemption. From being single-handedly defined by POGO [Philippine offshore gaming operators] to now being redefined by a shared vision,” he added.
He said the new management has revived nearly P800 million worth of long-abandoned infrastructure projects, including a central water supply and reservoir, a sewage treatment plant, a fire station, and underground power distribution lines, while completing additional key infrastructures like the Super Health Center, Materials Recovery Facility, and Motorpool.
“By finishing these projects, we not only fulfilled the President’s promise, but also directly addressed the essential needs of our locators and investors,” Taway said.
