Philippine Economic Zones Seen as Key to Attracting Investors, British Chamber Optimistic

The fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) highlighted the country’s economic zones as crucial in attracting more investments and boosting market opportunities across various sectors, according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) noted that this reaffirms investor trust and confidence to further explore opportunities within the ecozones, despite global market volatility, due to their fiscal and non-fiscal incentives. In his speech, President Marcos Jr. stated, “Foreign investments continue to pour in because of our beneficial policies, especially those promoting ease of doing business and accelerating digital transformation that curb red tape and corruption… Our productive ecozones lay down the fertile groundwork that brings these investments into actual fruition, posting consistent growth rates over the past three years.” The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said in a statement, “Since the start of the Marcos Administration, PEZA has approved over P900 billion in investments from new and expansion projects across its economic zones. These milestones reaffirm PEZA's role as a catalyst for attracting foreign direct investment, exports, technology transfer, and quality employment that contribute to the country's long-term growth and industrial transformation.” BCCP Executive Vice Chairman Chris Nelson also reemphasized the Chamber’s work with PEZA. British investments rank as the 10th top investor, comprising 49 locator companies, generating a total investment valued at Php 26.025 billion and an export value of $661 million as of April 2026, with key sectors including Business Process Outsourcing, aerospace, manufacturing, and logistics. Nelson looks forward to continuously working with PEZA following the success of the Philippine-British Investment Forum held on June 27, 2025. He previously added, “We have always said: go to the Philippines. It’s an important market in its own right, and a gateway to Southeast Asia. We are here to help British companies explore the market, do research, and arrange introductions. Think long-term and invest in the Philippines.” The British Chamber remains optimistic that ecozones will continue to advance market access for existing and incoming British companies. The Philippines’ willingness to further liberalize its market through trade mechanisms such as the UK-Philippines Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), the UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), and other potential trade agreements like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will signal that the country remains investment-ready.