THE government is wooing more Taiwanese companies to do business in the Philippines.
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) on Saturday said it recently went on an investment mission to Taiwan through a business forum in partnership with Ayala Land and Logistics Holding Corporation (ALLHC). The agency aimed to strengthen economic ties with Taiwan, focusing on attracting investments in green manufacturing, electronics, and smart logistics. The delegation engaged with Taiwanese firms to promote the Philippines as a top investment destination under the Create More law, targeting high-tech and sustainable industries. At the forum, PEZA Director General Tereso Panga presented reforms and benefits of the Create More law, the enhancing of ease-of-doing business policies, and the International Monetary Fund’s projecting the Philippine economy as one of seven to watch globally this year.“We meet at a moment when global uncertainty has become the norm rather than the exception. Yet, the Philippine economy has remained resilient amidst global and domestic shocks. Through PEZA economic zones, there is consistency and certainty as we provide a safe haven, a ready skilled workforce, sound business ecosystem and the infrastructure where Taiwanese and other international investors can expand with confidence, stability, and long-term competitiveness,” Panga said.
He then met with officials of PEZA-registered Taiwanese firm Elig Brake Technologies Corporation, which manufactures precision braking systems and advanced friction material applications, including disc brake pads, drum shoes, and clutches for bicycles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and automobiles.
Elig Brake is exploring research and development and new production line options in green manufacturing and product innovation.
PEZA and Philippine Trade and Investment Center officials also engaged in a dialogue with some of Taiwan’s leading companies from the electronics, automotive, steel, real estate development, logistics and port services sectors.
The companies discuss their coming visit to the Philippines.
On Feb. 6, the PEZA delegation and ALLHC team visited the smart logistics facility of Omega 2 Yangmei in Taoyuan City, Taiwan, developed by Ally Logistic Property (ALP).
Omega 2 is one of Asia’s largest and most advanced automated warehouses with an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) with over 80,000 pallet positions.
ALP vice president Buddy Chou said the Philippines is listed on their long-term regional roadmap for smart logistics infrastructure.
To date, PEZA is home to 78 Taiwanese-registered business enterprises (RBEs) with over P36 billion in investments and creating more than 45,000 jobs across the country.
Among PEZA’s leading Taiwanese locators are ASE, Sunon, Sercomm, CyberPower, and Aromate, among others.
Also on Saturday, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque expressed confidence that PEZA will hit its P300 billion investment target this year.
“This is 15-percent higher than its P261 billion investments approved in 2024. Since 2022, under the Marcos administration, PEZA has sustained its upward trajectory with an average annual growth rate of 23 percent,“ Roque said.
This year, PEZA’s investment growth is forecast to be driven by manufacturing (60 percent), ecozone development (25 percent), and IT- BPM services (15 percent).
Meanwhile, foreign direct investments (FDIs) will also come from Japan, the United States, United Kingdom, South Korea, Singapore, and China, said Roque.
