The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) welcomed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), saying his opening call—“The Philippines is ready. Invest in the Filipino”—sends a strong and reassuring message to European investors of the country’s openness to foreign participation and partnership.
“[This] signal[s] continued openness to European investment,” the ECCP said in a statement, adding that it sees alignment between the President’s strategic thrusts and the chamber’s long-standing advocacies on trade, infrastructure, human capital, and regulatory reforms.
The ECCP commended the Marcos administration’s renewed focus on transparency and anti-corruption, especially as the country advances negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union. The third round of FTA talks was held in June 2025, with a fourth round scheduled for October.
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“In conjunction with the continued advancement of the EU-Philippines Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations and the Philippines’ removal from the European Commission’s high‑risk list for money laundering last June, we firmly believe these efforts will only serve to heighten investor confidence, improve market access, and reinforce the country’s position as a credible and attractive destination for trade and investment within the region,” the Chamber said.
In 2024, total trade between the Philippines and the EU reached $15.5 billion, making the EU the country’s fifth-largest trading partner. Philippine exports to the EU were valued at $8.1 billion, while imports stood at $7.5 billion. The Philippines also recorded an 80% utilization rate of the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), which allows duty-free access for over 6,200 products.
European investors remain key contributors to the Philippines’ strategic sectors, particularly renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and manufacturing, with growing interest also in the circular economy and climate adaptation initiatives under the EU-Philippines Green Partnership and the EU’s Global Gateway initiative.
“European investors have remained at the forefront of contributing to the development of strategic sectors in the country, especially in renewable energy, which further highlights their willingness to invest in large-scale projects so long as the government maintains an enabling and conducive business environment,” the ECCP said.
The Chamber also expressed support for the President’s SONA focus on infrastructure, energy security, education and human capital, digital transformation, and reforms in agriculture, healthcare, and logistics. These align closely with ECCP’s sectoral priorities and committee work.
To further support national development goals, the ECCP said it is strengthening its engagement in disaster preparedness and defense through its newly formed Defense and Disaster Risk Committee.
“We further note the strong emphasis placed by the President on enhancing our defense and security as well as the increasing call for disaster preparedness, as highlighted by the recent effects of Typhoons Crising, Dante, and Emong,” the statement read.
With nearly 900 members, ECCP is one of the largest and most influential foreign business organizations in the country. Over the years, it has cultivated strong ties with all three branches of government and has actively promoted a competitive and inclusive environment for European-Philippine economic relations.
“The ECCP remains committed to collaborating with the Philippine government and relevant stakeholders to translate these strategic visions into tangible benefits that will greatly advance good governance, a sound regulatory environment, and sustainable economic growth,” the chamber said.
Beyond business, the broader EU-Philippines relationship continues to flourish through cooperation in education, labor, maritime training, climate resilience, security, and multilateral diplomacy, anchored by shared values and a mutual interest in long-term prosperity.
