President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived from his successful State Visits to New Zealand and Australia with new investments and projects that will create thousands of additional jobs for Filipinos.

In his arrival statement, President Aquino said that the Philippines Energy Development Corp. will partner with New Zealand’s GNS Science to enhance the country’s geothermal energy capability. He also assisted the Philippine company Alliance Select in talking to New Zealand company Akaroa Salmon. Alliance Select bought 80 percent of Akaroa Salmon.

“Lumagda po tayo sa ilang mga kasunduan na magpapatibay ng ugnayan sa New Zealand. Magbabahagi po sila ng kaalaman sa atin ukol sa geothermal energy, at makikipagtulungan din sa pambansang tanggulan, partikular sa pagsasanay at pagpapalakas ng kasundaluhan, pati na rin sa pagbabahagi ng impormasyon. Sa bagong lagdang working holiday scheme naman po, maaari ng mag-aral o magtrabaho ng hanggang tatlong buwan sa New Zealand ang Pilipinong may working holiday VISA; gayon din naman po para sa mga taga-New Zealand na gustong maranasan ang ating kultura, o pumasok sa ating mga pamantasan,” he said.

In Australia, the President and the Atlantic Gulf & Pacific and its consortium composed of Japan Gas Corp.; Kellogg, Brown and Root; and Chiyoda or JKC, discussed a $200-million natural gas project that will create 1,500 more new jobs at AG&P’s facility in Batangas. The Macquarie bank is also working with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to create the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure (PINAI) fund worth $625 million, the President said.

Besides these, Australia and the Philippines signed an air services agreement that will help enhance the commercial airline services in the Philippines. Australian shipbuilder Austal and telecommunications company Telstra will also expand their operations in the country.

The President also expressed his gratitude to the Australian government for its continuing assistance for Mindanao’s development.

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