THE Philippines wants to deepen its bilateral trade ties and technology cooperation with Israel under the United States’ Pax Silica initiative, the Board of Investments said on Sunday.
Pax Silica, launched in December 2025, aims to secure, diversify and build supply chains for semiconductors, critical minerals, and AI technologies among Australia, Finland, India, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the Philippines.
Trade Undersecretary and Board of Investments Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo recently went to Jerusalem to meet with Israel’s Ministry of Economy and Industry, led by Oded Forer, head of Export and Investment Promotion Division, and Yifat Alon Perel, senior director of Trade Policy and Agreements Division.
There were discussions on cooperation in critical minerals, semiconductors and innovation.
“Both sides emphasized the importance of working together to strengthen supply chain resilience under the Pax Silica framework and identifying priority sectors for early and practical cooperation,” the BOI said.
In the meeting, Rodolfo highlighted opportunities for investment and technology for Israeli tech firms in the 4,000-acre first AI-native Industrial Acceleration Hub in New Clark City in Tarlac, which is part of the Luzon Economic Corridor.
Rodolfo also visited the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Israel National AI Directorate, the Israel Innovation Authority, and key trade partners, the BOI said.
In 2025, the Philippines and Israel held exploratory talks for a free trade agreement (FTA).
In 2024, bilateral trade between the two countries totaled $400.42 million. Israel is the Philippines’ 34th largest trading partner.
Net foreign direct investments from Israel amounted to P45.94 million in 2024.
