BDO, PEZA Sign Deal to Boost Foreign Investment in Philippines

BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO) has entered a strategic partnership with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to attract more foreign direct investments and spur economic growth in the country.

The agreement, formalized through a memorandum of understanding, aims to support international companies eyeing the Philippines as a base for operations across key sectors, including manufacturing, information technology-business process management (IT-BPM), logistics, and agro-industry.

“This partnership underscores our aligned vision of positioning the Philippines as a premier investment destination,” said Charles M. Rodriguez, BDO’s executive vice president and head of the Institutional Banking Group.

PEZA, the government’s lead investment promotion agency, currently oversees more than 400 economic zones nationwide. It provides investors with tax incentives, streamlined registration processes, and modern infrastructure aimed at enhancing ease of doing business.

By leveraging its financial services expertise and a nationwide network of over 1,200 branches—many within or near PEZA zones—BDO aims to simplify market entry and expansion for foreign companies operating in the country.

“Together with PEZA, we aim to maximize the benefits of the CREATE MORE Law and its newly signed IRRs to drive more foreign direct investments,” Rodriguez added, referring to the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act’s updated implementing rules and regulations.

Under CREATE, foreign and local firms can benefit from competitive tax rates and fiscal incentives, positioning the Philippines as an attractive investment hub in Southeast Asia.

Romeo R. Co, Jr., BDO’s senior vice president and head of Financial Institutions and International Desks, emphasized the bank’s readiness to assist global firms at every step of their Philippine market entry.

“We are committed to assist foreign companies with interest to invest and/or conduct business in the Philippines as PEZA’s partner in supporting economic development,” Co said.

The partnership underscores both institutions’ efforts to drive sustainable economic progress by supporting investor-friendly policies and providing practical financial support to businesses and their employees.