Swiss Firms Remain Upbeat on Philippine Business Prospects Despite Challenges

MANILA, Philippines — Swiss firms remain confident about expanding in the Philippines, despite concerns over education and public infrastructure. In an interview, Swiss Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Chair Felix Fiechter said Swiss companies cite education and infrastructure as their main concerns when expanding in the Philippines, though he stressed these have not dampened investor interest. “We’re bullish on the Philippines, but we also see what needs to be addressed,” Fiechter told reporters on the sidelines of a forum in Taguig. “Business goes on. The job of business is to find solutions, and we will find them.” Fiechter said the challenges companies flag are part of doing business and do not signal broader hesitation. “Do we all have challenges and frustrations? Of course, that’s normal,” he added. His remarks followed Holcim Group’s $807-million sale of its Philippine business to China’s Huaxin Building Materials. Holcim gave no reason, even as its local net loss before tax widened to P4.2 billion in 2025 from P1 billion a year earlier. Fiechter said the divestment does not reflect broader Swiss business sentiment toward the Philippines. “It’s a pure business decision,” he said. “From my vantage point, it has nothing to do with the Swiss Chamber of Commerce, nothing to do with the Philippines. We don’t have members who are disgruntled about the Philippines.” Despite the distance, the Philippines remains a key market for Swiss businesses but needs better promotion to investors, Swiss Ambassador Nicolas Brühl said. “For us, the Philippine market is relevant,” Brühl said. “We feel that the Philippine government is interested in bringing in an investment climate that is positive.” “There is interest, but we need perhaps more success stories that people really know,” the ambassador added. Fiechter expects Swiss investment in the Philippines to stay strong, with Switzerland ranking as the country’s fifth-largest foreign investor. He added that while Switzerland is strong in pharmaceuticals and high-end manufacturing, the chamber is encouraging more Philippine companies—especially processed food exporters—to explore the Swiss market. “The chamber is looking very, very hard for Filipino companies that export or want to export to Switzerland,” Fiechter said, noting that current Philippine exports to Switzerland are “sadly, not enough.”