Aboitiz woos Japanese investors to Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) Economic Estates is wooing more Japanese investors to set up shops in the Philippines.

AIC joined the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Philippine Trade & Investment Centers in Osaka and Tokyo for a recent investment roadshow in Japan. The Philippine-Japan Investment Forum aimed to showcase the Philippines as an ideal investment destination for Japanese investors.

PEZA director general Tereso Panga said Japan is one of the Philippines’ largest and longest-tenured investment partners, making it the top source of foreign investments for developers.

“The Philippines continues to be an attractive investment destination, because of the multitude of opportunities it presents, including a large and highly skilled English-speaking workforce, a business-friendly environment, a strategic location, cost-effective operations, and developed infrastructure and connectivity,” Panga said.

Data from PEZA showed that 27.34 percent or 881 of PEZA-approved foreign investments come from Japanese companies, bringing in P766.55 billion worth of investments in the country and generating up to 340,601 jobs for Filipinos.

AIC Economic Estates has been attracting a lot of Japanese businesses.

“We are proud to have developed a thriving ecosystem that attracts industry leaders in various sectors, including automotive components, electronics, medical technologies, printers, motorcycle production, and food and beverage. Notably, about 36 percent or 74 of our 207 locators are esteemed Japanese companies that have chosen the Philippines for their expansion ventures,” said Rafael Fernandez de Mesa, head of AIC Economic Estates.

Some of the Japanese companies that are in the AIC Economic Estates are Yamaha, Kurabe Industrial Philippines Inc., Epson Precision Philippines, Proterial, Japan Tobacco International, and Bandai Namco Philippines.

Aboitiz InfraCapital has also established a significant partnership with the Japanese shipbuilding giant, Tsuneishi Holdings.

AIC’s economic estates provide a dynamic business environment for companies and are strategically located near major seaports, airports, and road networks, said Cosette Canilao, president and CEO of AIC.

The Aboitiz Group intends continue to strengthen its position as the optimal choice for Japanese businesses seeking to expand in the Southeast Asian region.