Investment pipeline hits over P4 trillion

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is tracking over P4 trillion worth of investment leads as it seeks to strengthen the country’s position as a top destination for global investors this year.

In a statement yesterday, the DTI – Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC) said it actively engaged with investors on 247 investment leads and projects valued at over P4 trillion ($76 billion) as of January.

Of these investment leads, 51 are in the advanced stages, with 28 companies having either registered with  the Securities and Exchange Commission or working closely with investment promotion agencies to finalize their entry into the Philippines, while 23 have started commercial operations.

“These investments span key industries, including manufacturing, information technology and business process management, renewable energy, data centers, retail, agriculture and telecommunications,” the DTI-FTSC said.

The DTI-FTSC, which is composed of trade representatives or commercial attaches representing the commercial posts of the DTI around the world, is actively converting investment leads from high-level trade and economic missions into projects that create jobs in the country by facilitating the entry of investors.

In a separate statement, the Board of Investments (BOI) said that it endorsed 187 investments worth P4.65 trillion for green lane processing as of March 11.

Under Executive Order (EO) 18 issued by the Office of the President in February 2023, green lanes were created to expedite the processing of permits and licenses for strategic investments in the country.

 Of the projects approved for green lanes, the bulk or 151 are in renewable energy.

 Other projects endorsed for green lanes involve food security, digital infrastructure and manufacturing. 

According to the BOI, 45 of the projects certified for green lanes are foreign-owned, showing strong foreign investor confidence. 

Of the approved projects for green lanes, six are already operational.

The BOI said EO 18, which focused on simplifying the approval process for strategic projects, has helped make the Philippines a more attractive location for foreign direct investments.

“The success of EO 18 demonstrates the power of unity in government, proving that by working together, we can transform investments into real opportunities that uplift communities and fuel national progress,” Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said.

Beyond generating investment leads, the DTI-FTSC said it would continue to expand market access for Philippine exporters and strengthen trade partnerships in the coming months.

Last year, the DTI-FTSC assisted over 1,900 exporters to access new markets and secure international buyers. It also engaged 2,600 potential foreign investors by providing market intelligence, business-matching services and direct facilitation support.