UNKNOWN TO MANY, months before the Presidential visit to Israel and Jordan, a leading arms manufacturer in Israel had frequented the Philippines in search for a strategic partner.
Silver Shadow Advance Security Systems Ltd., (SSASS) had series of exploratory meetings with Rayo Illuminar Corp., (RIC) and both parties had identified prospective areas where to set up a manufacturing plant. Being eyed is Limay town in Bataan province in Central Luzon.
SSASS Chief Executive Officer Amos Golan and RIC Chairman, Salvador Zamora, had entered into a memorandum of undertaking wherein the Israeli company committed to infuse an initial investment of $50-million. SSASS and RIC will initially manufacture and assemble firearms and ammunition. SSASS also committed to train and then employ at least 160 personnel.
During the State Visit of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, a ceremonial signing of Letter of Intent by SSASS Amos Golan and its ranking officials with Trade Sec. Ramon Lopez were among the significant event held. Later a demonstration of the firefight capability of varied types of firearms under the brand name Gilboa followed with Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana witnessing.
RIC Chairman Zamora in an interview said that he expects Amos Golan to be in the Philippines this month to finalize their partnership with the end in view of starting the installations of vital apparatus of the manufacturing and assembly plant which will be operational by 2019. (Jun Ledesma)
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