Aboitiz InfraCapital unit unveils expansion

Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates is keen on further expanding its footprint in the Visayas and Mindanao by leveraging on the Aboitiz Group’s contracts to operate airports in Bohol and Cagayan de Oro, according to a report by Philippine Daily Inquirer.

While the main focus of business expansion is still Luzon, the Aboitiz unit is open to exploring “opportunities and congruencies” in the Visayas and Mindanao, said Monica Trajano, Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates vice president and head of commercial strategy.

“[We’re] certainly expanding our footprints, focusing on Luzon relative to the Luzon Economic Corridor. But [we’re] also taking advantage of the domestic market, I suppose, the emergence of the better domestic market in VisMin,” said Trajano.

Trajano added that potential expansion sites include areas adjacent to Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental and Bohol-Panglao International Airport.

“VisMin is also where we’re looking towards. I think with the awarding of the airports in Bohol and Laguindingan recently, I think we also want to think about it in terms of a group-wide initiative,” she told reporters in a media roundtable.

Trajano also said the goal was to colocate the listed conglomerate’s existing assets and maximize its reach in areas where it currently operates.

Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates is looking into industry-specific estates, she said.

Trajano said while pharmaceutical estates could be the next potential step given the availability of raw materials in the country, she cited the importance of coordinating with regulatory agencies to explore opportunities in key sectors such as agriculture and food.

“That’s something that’s always on top of mind for us because if we can cater to specific industries and have them all come together, that would help both the anchor and the supply chain locators,” she said.

“We’re open to all of those things, depending on what support they need. It’s not something that we’re averse to being able to provide. Our estates lend towards a variety of that,” she added.

Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. (AIC), the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, is the operator of Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu; Laguindingan International Airport in Laguindingan town in Misamis Oriental; and Bohol-Panglao International Airport in Panglao town in Bohol.

Under a P12.75-billion concession agreement, AIC will develop and modernize the Laguindingan airport for 30 years, while the Bohol-Panglao airport is covered by a similar 30-year accord valued at P4.53 billion.

Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates, also part of the Aboitiz Group, has four economic estates located in Luzon and Cebu.