This collaborative effort with various government entities and strategic market allies, has played a pivotal role in piquing investor interest in the abundant opportunities presented by the Philippines.
The Philippine-China Investment Forum brought together over 120 attendees from various industries including electronics, automotives, renewable energy, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals, among many others. During the roadshow, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) disclosed that Chinese investors had poured PHP 25.822 billion into the country’s economic zones as of May 2023. In the first quarter of 2023 alone, Chinese investments contributed PHP 5.126 billion to the Philippines’ exports and created 16,221 jobs for Filipinos.
Rafael Fernandez de Mesa, Head of Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates, expressed, “We have cultivated a strong and strategic partnership with industry stakeholders from both the private sector and government, to position the Philippines as a preferred investment destination in the region. The resounding success of our recent roadshows in China validate interest in the Philippines and hold high promise that investment will materialize. We have already hosted various post-event site visits with prestigious Chinese firms at our Economic Estates in Batangas and Cebu, which will continue to build upon the investments we have already secured over the course of the past few years.”
Within the LIMA Estate, Grandsun Advanced Electronics (Philippines) Co. Inc., a China-based electronics company, is expanding its manufacturing capabilities with two additional audio devices factories in 2025. Grandsun’s total investments in its production facilities now exceeds PHP 3 billion.
In addition, Steelwell Industrial Hardware, a globally acclaimed manufacturer specializing in high-precision metal products for industrial applications and headquartered in Shenzhen, China, recently broke ground on its 1.5-hectare manufacturing facility within LIMA Estate. The company has committed a substantial investment of PHP 300 million towards the development of this facility at LIMA Estate.
As articulated by Fernandez de Mesa, “Our core expertise lies in the creation of infrastructure ecosystems that are meticulously designed to ensure seamless operations for all businesses. These developments are strategically positioned near major seaports, airports, and a well-developed road network, each complemented by world-class power and water facilities, owned and operated by the Aboitiz Group.”
Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, Board of Investment Managing Head at DTI, emphasized, “The Philippines continues to be a haven for Chinese investors interested in smart manufacturing and R&D activities, among several other reasons, including its integral role in global supply chains, a highly skilled English-speaking workforce, and its robust and stable economic growth compared to our ASEAN neighbors. Its strategic location also offers seamless access to China’s primary export markets, namely the United States and the European Union, with the added advantage of preferential or low tariff rates.”
Rodolfo underscored how DTI is actively positioning the Philippines as a regional hub for smart and sustainable manufacturing and services among Chinese businesses, encompassing industries such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, advanced high-tech manufacturing, semiconductor assembly and testing, high-tech agriculture, and telecommunications.
Beyond the investment prospects, both nations have complementary and strong alignment particularly in terms of the Philippines’ potential in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and green metals, buoyed by China’s advanced technological expertise.
This synergy is poised to strengthen further through the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which aligns trade policies, reduces trade barriers, and streamlines customs procedures, creating a more conducive business environment that encourages increased trade and investment flows between China and the Philippines.
With the promising synergy between China and the Philippines, Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates envisions a future characterized by continued growth, innovation, and progress for both nations. By fostering stronger diplomatic relations with neighboring nations and key trade partners, the company continues to build upon its commitment to elevate the profile of industrial estates in the Philippines, ultimately contributing to the country’s overall economic advancement.