Key takeaways:
- $14 billion in foreign investments pledged during President Marcos’ trips have materialized
- Investments span manufacturing, IT-BPM, renewable energy, infrastructure, and more
- Green Lanes initiative aims to streamline investment processes and attract businesses
- Materialized investments expected to boost economic growth and create jobs
- Philippines solidifying position as a top investment destination in Asia
Foreign investment pledges secured by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during his international visits have begun delivering concrete results, with $14 billion (about ₱786 billion) already materialized across various sectors, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). This significant development positions the Philippines as a compelling investment destination for foreign businesses in Asia.
The Philippines has witnessed a remarkable translation of foreign investment pledges into tangible projects. The DTI reports $14 billion worth of investments across 46 projects are now underway, spanning from manufacturing and IT-BPM to renewable energy, infrastructure, and agriculture.
These materialized investments are expected to significantly contribute to the country’s economic growth and job creation potential.
Policy push for investment
The government’s commitment to attracting foreign investment is evident in initiatives like Executive Order 18, which establishes “Green Lanes” for strategic investments. This initiative aims to streamline approvals and create a more investor-friendly business environment.
Jobs and growth on the horizon
As these investments translate into operational projects, the Philippines is poised to enjoy the long-term benefits of sustained economic growth and job creation. Sectors like IT-BPM and manufacturing, known for generating significant direct employment, are expected to see a positive boost.
Sectoral breakdown
The $14 billion in materialized investments are distributed across key sectors:
- Manufacturing: 16 projects (35%)
- IT-BPM: 10 projects (22%)
- Renewable Energy: 9 projects (20%)
- Other Sectors: Infrastructure, transport and logistics, agriculture, and retail
The successful actualization of these investments is expected to further solidify the Philippines’ position as a leading investment destination. The government’s commitment to converting pledges into tangible projects remains unwavering.
Moving forward, each presidential visit will be leveraged to build a pipeline of investment opportunities, solidifying the Philippines’ attractiveness to foreign investors.
President Marcos’s international efforts have yielded tangible results, translating $14 billion in foreign investment pledges into concrete projects. This paves the way for sustained economic growth, job creation, and the Philippines’ emergence as a top investment destination in Asia.◼
FAQs
Q: Can a foreign company invest in the Philippines?
A: Yes, the Foreign Investment Act (R.A. 7042, 1991, amended by R.A. 8179, 1996) liberalized the entry of foreign investment into the Philippines[1].
Q: What is the general policy of the government for foreign investments?
The Philippine government encourages foreign investors to invest in the country to develop the productivity of resources, increase the volume and value of exports, and provide for the future development of the country[1].
Q: How does the Philippines define foreign corporations?
Foreign corporations are defined as those that owe their existence to the laws of another state and generally have no legal existence within the Philippines[1].
Q: Are there any tax incentives for foreign corporations investing in the Philippines?
Yes, there are several tax incentives available to foreign corporations, depending on the government. Specific details can be found in “The Investor’s Guide to Doing Business in the Philippines”[1].
Q: What are the conditions for a foreign investor to venture into activities not listed in the Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL)?
A foreign investor can venture into activities not listed in the FINL if the proposed activity is not among those listed in the FINL and if the paid-up capital for a domestic market enterprise is at least $200,000.00[4].
Q: What are the rights of foreign investors in the Philippines, such as repatriation of investments and remittance of earnings?
Foreign investors have rights to repatriate the entire proceeds of the liquidation of the investment and to remit earnings from the investment in the currency in which the investment was originally made[4].
Q: What are the areas of activities reserved for Philippine nationals or where foreign ownership is limited?
The areas of activities reserved for Philippine nationals or where foreign ownership is limited are listed in List A and List B, which consist of areas of activities reserved to Philippine nationals and areas where foreign ownership is limited, respectively[4].
Q: What are the opportunities for foreign investment in the Philippines, particularly in emerging industries and sectors like renewable energy, infrastructure, and telecommunications?
The Philippines presents opportunities for foreign investment in emerging industries and sectors such as renewable energy, infrastructure, and telecommunications. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is expected to play a significant role in driving the growth of the renewable energy industry in the coming years[3][5].
Business Bayani PH 
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