Philippines
Philippine Economic Zone Authority Approves Over $4 Billion in Investments
PEZA reports significant growth in approved projects, reaching P216.47 billion in the first eight months of 2026.
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) announced that it has approved investments totaling P216.47 billion (approximately $4.06 billion) during the first eight months of 2026. This figure represents 72 percent of PEZA's annual investment target of P300 billion, and reflects a 104.53 percent increase from the P105.83 billion recorded in the same period last year.
According to PEZA, a total of 196 new and expansion projects were greenlit, marking a 9.5 percent increase from the 179 projects approved during the same timeframe in 2025. If fully realized, these projects are expected to generate $6.60 billion in exports and create 26,994 direct jobs nationwide.
Manufacturing remains the dominant sector, accounting for 80 of the approved projects, followed by ecozone developments (31 projects), information technology-business process management (30), and logistics (15). The majority of these projects will be located in Luzon (161), with 23 in the Visayas and 12 in Mindanao.
“Reaching more than 72 percent of PEZA’s annual target in only eight months shows that investor confidence in the Philippines is translating into real commitments.”Cristina Roque, Trade Secretary
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque emphasized the significance of these approvals, stating, "Reaching more than 72 percent of PEZA’s annual target in only eight months shows that investor confidence in the Philippines is translating into real commitments." The agency expressed optimism regarding the continued conversion of investment leads into concrete projects for the remaining months of the year.
Notably, 34 of the approved projects were classified as big-ticket investments, with a total value of P193.71 billion (approximately $3.54 billion). The Philippines itself was the primary source of these investments, followed by the Netherlands, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan.
PEZA's efforts to attract foreign and local investments align with the government's broader economic objectives, as highlighted in previous reports. For instance, InsideASEAN has reported on the Philippines' ambition to enhance its export potential through initiatives like the Pax Silica AI hub, which aims to foster significant economic growth.