PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has made a direct pitch to global investors here, urging them to partner with the Philippines as it enters its next phase of economic growth following its official upgrade to an upper-middle-income status.
Speaking at a private, high-level roundtable co-hosted by the Milken Institute and the Philippine Embassy in Singapore, President Marcos addressed senior executives from 14 prominent multinational companies and institutions.
The delegation included representatives from global giants such as FedEx, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, the Asian Development Bank, TPG, and the Solana Foundation, spanning industries from aerospace and digital technology to logistics and private equity.
Strategic Infrastructure and Digital Expansion
President Marcos attributed the nation’s recent economic upgrade to broad-based expansion fueled by structural reforms, a vibrant young workforce, and one of Southeast Asia’s largest consumer markets.
The administration is now focused on translating this momentum into higher-value investments and high-quality jobs.
Key development initiatives took center stage during the briefing:
- The Luzon Economic Corridor: A massive infrastructure project designed to connect Subic Bay, Clark, Manila, and Batangas to drastically improve regional freight transport and access to economic zones.
- The Maharlika Investment Fund: The operationalization of the sovereign wealth fund to mobilize strategic capital for national development priorities.
- Next-Gen Tech Supply Chains: Engagement with Pax Silica and the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, alongside plans for a dedicated AI-focused industrial hub in New Clark City.
Fostering Regional Integration
The roundtable aligned with a broader push for regional integration, coming at a crucial time as the Philippines prepares to chair ASEAN in 2026, followed by Singapore in 2027.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina A. Roque emphasized that the engagement successfully put the Philippines in front of key regional decision-makers.
Roque noted that the goal extends beyond mere capital accumulation, aiming instead for investments that strengthen local industries and improve Filipino livelihoods.
The discussion was held under the Chatham House Rule, allowing for candid dialogue regarding the country’s shifting investment climate.
