SUBIC Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in the Philippines is eyeing a cooperative agreement with a South African port.
A South African delegation, led by officials of the Richards Bay International Development Zone (RBDIZ), recently visited SBMA and cited similarities —specifically tax incentives — between Subic and Richards Bay which they said could be the foundation for a close working relationship between the two ports.
RBDIZ chief executive officer Ike Nxedlana, executive manager Zenele Zeka, chief financial officer Mohlomi Nikopan, counselor Hugo Lambrechts and legal adviser and secretary Keith Harvey were joined by South Africa Ambassador to the Philippines Agnes Nyamande-Pitso during the meeting.
“We are looking at the situation where our zone can join forces with Clark and Subic so that we can share experiences, because we really like working with you,” Nxedlana told SBMA officials.
He said his group will inform South African leaders of their intention to sign a memorandum of understanding between Subic and Richards Bay.
RBDIZ is a purpose-built and secure industrial estate located in the northeastern South African coast. The zone is linked to the international port of Richards Bay, considered as the gateway to South Africa and host of the two largest and busiest ports in the region.
A deal with RBDIZ may help SBMA get out of a volume rut. In the last few years, SBMA has been looking to boost cargo volume, which can’t seem to get past 30,000 twenty-foot equivalent units annually. This year, the freeport is also optimistic volume will increase with the impending entry of Tiger Lines.
