BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Responding to an invitation from MinebeaMitsumi Inc. of Japan, Governor Albert S. Garcia, together with AFAB Chairman, Emmanuel Pineda, Provincial Information Office Head, Geoffrey Loyola went on an official business trip in its headquarters in Tokyo and Karuizawa plant from August 28-30.

MinebeaMitsumi Inc., formerly Minebea Co., Ltd., is engaged in the manufacturing of miniature ball bearings, and also manufactures other high-precision parts. The Company also manufactures and sells liquid crystal backlights employed in smartphones, lighting devices and other products. The Company operates through two segments: Machined Components Segment, and Electronic Devices and Components Segment. Its machined components segment includes bearings, bearing-related products and machined components while its  electronic devices and components segment includes rotary components; electronic devices and components, and measuring components. Its products include various input, conversion and control devices, such as switches, sensors and connectors. Its products are components used in various products for modern homes and offices, including information and telecommunications devices, electrical equipment and automobiles.

During the tour, the Bataan delegation had an opportunity to sit down with Yoshihisa Kainuma, Chairman & President of MinebeaMitsumi in a business meeting. Said meeting held yesterday, August 28, started with a company presentation, followed by another presentation of Mitsumi Bataan done by Mr. William Verson (Admin/Personnel Manager). AFAB Chairman Emmanuel Pineda and Gov. Abet Garcia in their presentation ably addressed all the issues and concerns raised through the different existing projects and on-going development plans at the AFAB.

Highlighted in Chairman Pineda’s presentation is FAB as a magnet for development, due to the following advantages: (1) natural endowment – FAB has very deep natural harbor with maximum 13 meters ideal for national and international port operations, (2) ease of doing business – there are many business facilitation support systems that have been established and operationalized, (3) low cost of doing business – AFAB has maintained the lowest lease rates and lowest utility rates in the country, (4) location, because Bataan is connected by major roads/4-lane roads to Clark Freeport Zone and Subic Freeport Zone and Bataan is situated at the mouth of Manila Bay, and (5) incentives – the authors of the AFAB law gathered all the available incentives from all existing freeports and economic zones and packaged them into one. It would be worth mentioning that then 2^nd District Congressman and now Governor of Bataan Albert S. Garcia is the main author of the AFAB law.

By and large, it was a fruitful meeting for all parties concerned hence more lucrative jobs await Bataeños!

With report from Geoffrey Loyola, photos courtesy of Hellen Escudero