Philippines deepens Taiwan investment ties through PEZA mission

TAIPEI, Taiwan — The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), in partnership with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) Taipei, successfully concluded a high-level business investment mission aimed at expanding strategic ties with Taiwan.

Leading the delegation on behalf of PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga was Chief of Staff Napoleon Ferdinand Melendres, accompanied by PEZA Zone Manager Edward Domingo and PTIC Taipei Director Anthony Rivera.

The mission featured the Philippines–Taiwan Investment Forum, co-hosted by Aboitiz InfraCapital, JLL, Deloitte, and CTBC, and attracted nearly 100 representatives from top Taiwanese companies.

Mr. Melendres delivered the keynote speech, highlighting PEZA’s “No Red Tape, Only Red Carpet” promise, while promoting the Philippines as a competitive investment destination with skilled talent and resilient infrastructure.

He also emphasized how the CREATE MORE initiative enhances investor confidence through streamlined incentives and better fiscal policy support.

Success stories from firms like Kinpo Group reinforced the Philippines’ reputation as an attractive and strategic hub for manufacturing and innovation.

Key outcomes from the mission included multiple investment commitments across sectors such as semiconductors, electronics, industrial estates, and consumer goods.

Aromate Industries signed a USD 4.3 million Registration Agreement for a new air care products facility at the LIMA Technology Center in Batangas, following its commercial operations launch in 2024.

A Taiwan-based consumer electronics firm is preparing a 1-hectare Batangas site for a USD 5–6 million investment expected to generate 300 jobs and begin operations by November 2025.

Another leading video products manufacturer confirmed plans to establish its first Philippine production facility, targeting global exports and projecting up to USD 90 million in sales within three years.

A major broadband and optical communication equipment supplier announced its relocation to an 18,000-square-meter site in Laguna by 2026, scaling its capacity and product offerings.

Additionally, a pioneer in surface acoustic wave (SAW) and bulk acoustic wave (BAW) technologies is finalizing registration to shift more operations to the Philippines.

Beyond company-level deals, PEZA engaged with Taiwanese industrial park groups to explore collaboration on ecozone development, workforce training, and sustainable industrial practices.

Meetings in Kaohsiung with the Linhai Industrial Park Manufacturers Association (LIPMA) focused on agro-industrial cooperation, cross-promotion, and regulatory briefings to ease market entry.

Mr. Melendres said the mission reinforced the Philippines’ role as a reliable, innovation-ready partner aligned with Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy.

“We are sustaining the momentum of CREATE MORE by offering not just incentives, but a red-carpet service to investors,” he said.

Director Rivera added that PTIC Taipei would maintain structured follow-ups with investors and work with banks and industrial park developers to convert commitments into job-generating ventures.

Currently, 78 Taiwanese companies operate inside PEZA ecozones, with cumulative investments exceeding PHP 17.1 billion, exports reaching USD 485 million, and more than 26,600 Filipinos employed.

Taiwan ranks as the 8th largest source of foreign investment in PEZA, spanning industries such as semiconductors, electronics, IT, rubber, plastics, and paper products.