Sec. Katrina Ponce Enrile, the first Woman Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) and the first resident of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSEZFP) jurisdiction to ever head the said Freeport, delivered a compelling message through a recorded video presented at the Philippine Investment Forum of the 3rd Selangor Industrial Park Expo (SPARK) held on October 20, 2023 at the Kuala Lumpur International Convention Center (KLCC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The prestigious forum brought together key industry leaders, prominent investors and entrepreneurs from Asia in a networking luncheon to explore investment opportunities in various sectors with the delegates from the Philippine Investment Promotion Agencies, particularly CEZA, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) and Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority.

Sec. Enrile’s speech shed light on the vast and attractive investment opportunities that can be explored in the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSEZFP), both at the local and global scales. Her video presentation captivated the audience, as it revealed  the economic advantages and potential for growth that CEZA has to offer.

“As Administrator and CEO of CEZA, my mission is clear: to develop a future-ready Special Economic Zone and Freeport in the crossroads of the Asia-Pacific Region, an ideal choice for investors across diverse industries,” the CEZA Head said in her speech.

Furthermore, Sec. Enrile also took pride in CEZA’s keen focus in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in its regulatory function, particularly as  a gaming jurisdiction that can issue both land-based gaming licenses and interactive gaming licenses (IGLs). Notably, CEZA holds its seat as the first Interactive Gaming Jurisdiction in Asia.

Additionally, the Administrator also noted that, in the realm of Financial Technology (FinTech) or interchangeably referred to as Blockchain, CEZA is equally recognized as one of the pioneering authorities, granting  licenses for FinTech Solutions, Offshore Virtual Currency Exchanges and Digital Asset Token Offerings, and providing a regulatory sandbox for blockchain innovators.

“I firmly believe that with CEZA’s vision and mandate, together with your foresight and expertise, we can build a future-ready city at the crossroads of Asia and the Pacific. Together, we can drive economic growth, create jobs and establish a new hub for prosperity in Southeast Asia,” added Sec. Enrile.

CEZA’s participation at the SPARK 2023 aligns with the Organization’s vision to be a major economic driver in the CSEZFP and its neighboring provinces. By attracting investments, forging partnerships and implementing forward-thinking policies, CEZA strives to create sustainable and inclusive economic development that benefits both investors and the local communities. #InvestWithCEZA

Link of the video: https://fb.watch/nVUhu8A5Yk/