The Philippines continues to attract robust investor confidence from its neighbors in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with projects approved by the Board of Investments (BOI) reaching P252 billion since 2020.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the steady inflow highlights the country’s enduring appeal as an attractive investment destination in the region. From January to July 2025 alone, ASEAN countries contributed P58.07 billion to the BOI’s total investments pipeline.
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DTI Secretary and BOI chairman Cristina Roque said the agency remains focused on advancing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s priorities by strengthening the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and deepening investment relationships with ASEAN member countries, particularly in the digital economy sector.
“As we build stronger trade and investment ties with our ASEAN neighbors, these numbers reflect the growing confidence of foreign investors in the Philippines as a place for business growth,” Roque said.
“We will keep working to create a stable and welcoming business environment, one that brings in more investments and opens up real opportunities for Filipinos,” she said.
Singapore has consistently led as the top ASEAN source of investment pledges, contributing P246 billion in approved projects since 2020. It is followed by Indonesia (P12.27 billion), Thailand (P4.34 billion), and Malaysia (P1.7 billion).
These investments have primarily flowed into the information and communication sector (P169.59 billion) and the power sector, including renewable energy (P74.20 billion). Other sectors that drew ASEAN capital include manufacturing (P5.58 billion), administrative and support services (P1.41 billion), and agriculture, forestry, and fishing (P930 million).
Collectively, these projects are projected to generate 15,358 new jobs for Filipinos from 2020 through July 2025.
“The BOI-approved projects from ASEAN investors, particularly those in the Information and Communication and the Renewable Energy sectors, align with the Philippines’ push for smart and sustainable manufacturing and services,” said BOI executive director Evariste Cagatan.
In a bid to strengthen investment ties with fellow ASEAN member states, President Marcos has actively pursued bilateral cooperation on trade and investments. He made a state visit to Vietnam last year and, in May 2025, attended the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he held bilateral talks with various ASEAN leaders.
Complementing BOI’s data, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) also reported sustained growth in regional FDI inflows. Net foreign direct investment (FDI) from ASEAN reached $95.78 million in the first seven months of 2025, with Singapore ($63.61 million) and Malaysia ($31.56 million) leading as top sources.
The DTI said the Philippines’ assumption of the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026 is expected to further solidify its leadership role in promoting sustainable and inclusive growth.
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