Zamboanga City is situated on the southernmost tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula, on the island of Mindanao, 530 miles south of Manila. It is bounded to the west by Sulu Sea, to the east by the Moro Gulf, and to the south by Basilan Strait and Celebes Sea. Zamboanga City is one of the largest cities by area in the world, with a total land area of 142,099.99 hectares or 1,420.99 square kilometers. The population is 442,345, and the major languages spoken are Pilipino, English and Chinese.
Zamboanga Freeport Authority
The Zamboanga Freeport Authority is the sole freeport in Mindanao and is managed as a separate customs territory. It offers attractive incentives for would-be investors; tax-free importation of goods; four to six years tax holiday; five percent tax rate from gross income earned and a guaranteed lease of 50 years, renewable for another 25 years.
The Zamboanga Freeport welcomes investments in special priority areas:
- An international seaport complex
- A theme park
- A civic center
- A hotel
- Commercial malls
- Restaurants
- A residential village
- Fastcraft services
- An international cruise ship terminal
- Water reservoir and treatment facilities
- A hospital
Zamboanga backs this up with the following incentives:
- Tax-free importation of goods.
- Four to six years tax holiday.
- Five percent flat tax rate from gross income earned (no other local or national taxes shall be imposed).
- Guaranteed lease of 50 years, renewable every 25 years.
- Foreign investors investing US$150,000 or more shall be granted permanent residency status, along with their spouses, dependents, and unmarried children below 21 years of age.
- Foreign executives and technicians with highly specialized skills are issued working visas renewable every two years.
For more information, please contact:
Atty. Jose Batausa, President
Mr. Severino Landingin, Executive Director
Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc.
Room 302 Jose Go Huilo Bldg.
Tomas Claudio Ext., Zamboanga City
Tel: (63-62) 991-0190; 991-1927
Fax: (63-62) 991-0190
Email: zamboanga_chamber@yahoo.com