Poised to be an alternative economic hub north of the capital, Clark has been attracting some of the Philippines’ largest foreign investments. —PHOTO FROM CLARK DEVELOPMENT CORP.

MANILA, Philippines — There has been no shortage of buzz around Clark lately, nor of reasons to pay attention.

What was once best known only for housing the largest United States military air base outside American soil is now rapidly carving out a new identity as one of the Philippines’ most attractive and fast-growing investment centers.

Businesses, both local and foreign, are already there by the thousands. So are factories, aviation and logistics facilities, hotels and sprawling leisure developments. World-class sporting venues have risen, too. And now, advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI) are being drawn into the picture.

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