A THAI stevia processing firm wants to expand its operations in the Philippines with $30 million in investments, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said on Tuesday.
“The company is looking to establish a plantation and processing facility in the country and [also] select a 1,000-hectare site within Asean for its proposed expansion,” the agency said.
The unnamed company was part of the discussions PEZA officials had with Thai business leaders at the “Private CEO Luncheon Briefing: Investing in the Philippines” event, hosted by Asian Consulting Group (ACG) last week in Bangkok.
Some 32 Thai chief executives representing garments manufacturing, ceramics manufacturing, renewables, agro-processing, IT-BPM and construction attended.
PEZA also met with FiberHome Thailand representatives to benchmark its manufacturing facility in the Philippines.
FiberHome, a Chinese telecoms and information technology solutions provider, operates several sites delivering end-to-end fiber-optic communication, data networking and wireless communication solutions.
In October 2025, PEZA and FiberHome signed an agreement to explore potential areas of collaboration in transforming PEZA ecozones into smart industrial communities through the adoption of innovative technologies and digital solutions.
At the luncheon, Ella Burgos, Commercial Counselor of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Bangkok, delivered the welcome remarks, while Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Millicent Cruz-Paredes spoke about the long-standing diplomatic relations and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Mon Abrea, ACG founder and chief tax advisor, presented the general investment environment in the Philippines, including policy reforms, tax and other incentives that foreign investors can avail.
Arunee Piriyatanakankul, representative of the Thai World Group of Companies, recalled its positive experience in investing in the Philippines.
Thai World Group is the parent company of PhilCo Food Processing Inc., a new PEZA-registered locator engaged in coconut processing, including ultra-high temperature coconut milk and frozen coconut meat.
The company has a new 5.5-hectare facility in the Philippine Veterans Investment Development Corp. Industrial Estate Special Economic Zone in Misamis Oriental, which will create 2,500 jobs.
PEZA currently hosts four locators with major Thai equity, generating over P7 billion in investments, about $900 million in export sales, and providing employment to nearly 190 Filipinos.