The facility, scheduled to open in October 2025, was fast-tracked under the government’s Green Lane Certification for strategic investments. It will focus on developing genetic and circuit-level therapies for complex brain disorders, including epilepsy, autism, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and schizophrenia.

Founded by three Oxford-trained neuroscientists, Exin Therapeutics leverages the power of neuroscience, genetics, and artificial intelligence to accelerate drug discovery and redefine how brain disorders are treated.

“The Philippines offers a unique combination of scientific talent, cost efficiency, and a strong innovation environment,” said Ivan Lazarte, Exin’s Chief Scientific Officer. “We’re building more than a lab — we’re building the foundation for world-class neurotherapeutics research in Asia.”

The company will invest ₱45 million (USD 0.8 million) in its first phase (2025–2027) to construct a state-of-the-art research facility in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig. It will generate 35 high-value jobs for Filipino scientists and specialists trained in gene therapy and AI-driven drug discovery.

Using AAV-based gene delivery systems and AI-powered data analytics, the BGC lab aims to design and validate 10 new drug candidates per month, producing over 180,000 research data points by 2027.

In its second phase (2027–2029), Exin plans a ₱1 billion (USD 30 million) expansion in Clark, Pampanga, scaling capacity to 100 drug candidates monthly and creating over 500 direct and indirect jobs.

The project supports the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028, which identifies science, technology, and innovation as drivers of inclusive and sustainable economic growth. It also strengthens the country’s innovation ecosystem by advancing high-technology R&D and biotech capabilities.

Environmental sustainability is a core element of the project, with plans for energy-efficient systems, waste reduction measures, and potential solar integration in line with international green lab standards.

Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo lauded the initiative as a catalyst for knowledge transfer and high-value job creation.

“This investment goes beyond capital—it’s about empowering Filipino scientists and positioning the Philippines as a serious player in global biotech innovation,” Rodolfo said.

Through its One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSACSI), the government continues to attract and support transformative projects that put the Philippines on the map as a biotech and R&D hub in Southeast Asia.

From January to July 2025 alone, ASEAN member states contributed ₱58.07 billion to the BOI’s investment pipeline, underscoring the country’s growing appeal as a preferred destination for regional capital.

Trade Secretary and BOI Chair Cristina A. Roque highlighted that these inflows reflect the Marcos administration’s commitment to advancing priority sectors, strengthening MSMEs, and deepening ASEAN investment partnerships—particularly in the fast-growing digital economy.

“As we build stronger trade and investment ties with our ASEAN neighbors, these numbers reflect the growing confidence of foreign investors in the Philippines as a place for business growth. We remain committed to sustaining a stable and welcoming business environment that generates investments and real opportunities for Filipinos,” Secretary Roque said.

Singapore remains the leading ASEAN source of investment pledges, contributing ₱246 billion since 2020, followed by Indonesia (₱12.27 billion), Thailand (₱4.34 billion), and Malaysia (₱1.7 billion). Major inflows were directed toward Information and Communication (₱169.59 billion) and Power, including renewable energy (₱74.20 billion), along with Manufacturing, Administrative Services, and Agriculture. These projects are projected to generate more than 15,000 jobs for Filipinos up to July 2025.

BOI Executive Director Evariste M. Cagatan emphasized that ASEAN-driven projects align with the Philippines’ drive toward smart, sustainable, and future-ready industries.

Beyond investment figures, the Philippines has actively pursued regional economic diplomacy. President Marcos has engaged ASEAN leaders in bilateral dialogues, including a state visit to Vietnam and his participation in the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur last May. Complementing BOI’s data, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas also recorded steady ASEAN FDI inflows of US$95.78 million in the first seven months of 2025, led by Singapore and Malaysia.

The BOI has also amplified the country’s green investment agenda, showcasing renewable and climate-aligned opportunities in global forums, while reinforcing the Philippines’ leadership role in ASEAN investment cooperation. Initiatives such as the ASEAN Regional Investment Promotion Action Plan (RIPAP)—launched in 2024—aim to position the bloc as a competitive collective hub for foreign direct investment.

Looking ahead, the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026 is expected to cement its leadership in promoting inclusive and sustainable growth, with BOI and DTI already preparing to showcase projects under RIPAP 2025–2030 at the ASEAN Investment Forum this October in Kuala Lumpur.

With robust ASEAN inflows, a strong green investment push, and an upcoming regional leadership role, the Philippines is steadily solidifying its position as a rising investment hub in Southeast Asia.

It is undeniable that economic slow down continues amidst the Russia’s illegal occupation of Ukraine, that resulted to high cost of commodities such as food and fuel that resulted to delay in shipments and badly supply chain which is also affected by Israel-Palestine conflict.

Cognizant of the global economic uncertainties, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) today highlighted a significant 36% increase in investments approved by the Board of Investments (BOI) for the first half of 2024 relative to the same period last year. From January to June 2024, BOI-approved investments reached PHP 950 billion (USD 16.7 billion), 30% of which are foreign investments amounting to PHP 286 billion (USD 5 billion)—the highest 1st semester BOI approvals in its 57-year history.

Although a 37% drop in net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow was reported in April by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the DTI remains optimistic given the buildup in the investment pipeline. “The April decline in FDI is viewed as a temporary setback, primarily influenced by global economic headwinds,” stated DTI Secretary Fred Pascual. “Our confidence in the Philippine economy remains unshaken, supported by a 19% increase in FDI over the first four months of the year compared to last year. We are also banking on the investment pipeline built from the BOI’s high level of foreign investment approvals.”

Investors’ Preferred Sectors

Renewable energy investments significantly dominate the investment landscape, with the Electricity, Gas, Steam, and Air Conditioning Supply sector drawing 96.3 % of the total approved investments. Among these was a PHP 297 billion investment by Ahunan Power Inc. in CALABARZON (Region 4A).

In May 2024, several large-scale BOI-approved projects further energized the investment landscape. Solar Solutions Inc. led with a substantial PHP 150 billion initiative in CALABARZON to expand solar energy capacity. Close on its heels was BlueWave Energy, with a PHP 120 billion investment approval for Central Luzon, focusing on offshore wind energy development.

Region IVA (CALABARZON) captured the highest regional investment approval, totaling PHP 592 billion (USD 10.4 billion), a 262% increase from the previous year. Other regions, including Western Visayas (Region VI) and Central Luzon (Region III), also saw vital investment approvals.

Additionally, May 2024 witnessed approvals for substantial foreign equity investments. Energy Global International from Germany made a notable PHP 85 billion investment in a new manufacturing facility in CALABARZON. Similarly, the French firm Hydropower Ventures got approval for a PHP 75 billion investment in hydroelectric power developments in Northern Mindanao.

The investment pattern also reflects notable international confidence, particularly from Switzerland and the Netherlands. Switzerland is the leading foreign investor, with significant projects such as wind energy developments by Jet Stream Windkraft Corporation and Triconti Southwind Corporation, each investing approximately PHP 115 billion (USD 2 billion). The Netherlands features significantly with investment approvals in the energy and manufacturing sectors, underscoring strong confidence in the Philippine economic environment.

The DTI also reported substantial growth in other sectors, such as Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Real Estate, demonstrating the economic diversity and vibrancy across various sectors.

DTI Initiatives to Sustain Growth

The DTI’s proactive strategies to foster a business-friendly environment through continuous promotion and streamlined administrative processes are instrumental in maintaining the Philippines as a competitive investment destination in Asia.

“Our strategic initiatives are vital for ensuring that the Philippines attracts and retains global investments. We are committed to creating an enabling environment that supports business growth and development across various sectors,” added Secretary Pascual.

“As we navigate the global economic landscape, our strategic focus on enhancing the ease of doing business and providing robust support for high-potential sectors is more crucial than ever. These efforts are pivotal in ensuring the Philippines remains a top-tier investment hub in Asia,” Secretary Pascual concluded.

The DTI remains committed to upholding its mission to enable business and empower consumers, ensuring that the Philippines meets, if not exceeds, investment and economic expectations. 

(THEPHILBIZNEWS File Photo)

True to its commitment to be investment friendly that would help the Philippine economy accelerate recovery, the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) revealed that it has officially reached the Php1 trillion mark of investment approvals from January to October.

According to the Philippine Board of Investments, the continued trust and confidence in the Philippines for being Investment friendly will certainly create more job opportunities for the Filipino people.

BOI pointed out that these investments and the ongoing negotiations with other foreign companies to invest in the Philippines will accelerate the much needed economic boost for recovery.

With the recent approval given to the new offshore wind power projects of Copenhagen Infrastructure New Markets Fund (CI NMF) Corporation valued at Php329.74 billion, the investment translates to an 86-percent growth from last year’s Php576.21 billion for the same period, BOI said in its latest advisory.

“The BOI hitting the trillion-mark in investment approvals proves that the Philippines is heading in the right direction to become Asia’s premier investment destination of choice. Foreign investment pledges are at a record high. But the job is not done. Together with our other Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs), we will continue to work to generate more investments into the country to provide more jobs for our countrymen,” Trade Secretary and BOI Chairman Alfredo Pascual said.

The Philippines is poised for a record-breaking surge in investment approvals this year. Notably, the trillion-peso investment figure does not even include approvals from other IPAs. BOI approvals alone are set to contribute significantly to this remarkable year for investments with two months away before the year ends.

In the first ten months of the year, foreign investment approvals of BOI reached Php757.33 billion, a significant leap of 567 percent from last year’s Php113.49 billion. In addition, domestic investment stands at Php316.22 billion.

As to the sources of foreign investments in the Philippines, the bulk of foreign capital came from Germany at P393.28 billion, followed by the Netherlands (P333.61 billion), Singapore (P17.07 billion), the United States (P2.63 billion), France (P2.04 billion), and United Kingdom (P1.05 billion).

At the domestic level, investments in Western Visayas topped the list at Php307.25 billion, with CALABARZON taking up second place at Php167.11 billion. Further, the Bicol Region (Php162.92 billion), Eastern Visayas (Php128.22 billion), and Ilocos Region (Php122.18 billion) completed the top five regions.

The renewable energy and power sector took center stage in the Philippines’ investment landscape, boasting a staggering Php899.79 billion in investments. This figure represents a remarkable 187 percent increase from last year’s Php313.07 billion. Notably, this substantial commitment was primarily directed towards diverse projects in solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass, highlighting the sector’s growing prominence.

The Information and Technology sector demonstrated strong growth, securing approvals totaling Php95.51 billion. Transportation and storage, particularly in water transport, also made a significant impact with Php21.27 billion in approved investments. Additionally, the manufacturing sector featured projects valued at Php16.37 billion, and Administrative and Support Service Activities, including the IT-BPM industry, received Php8.94 billion in investments.

Board of Investments continues to target investment projects that will bolster the country’s position as a regional hub for sustainability-, connectivity-, and innovation-driven manufacturing and services, as it pursues making its Php1.5 trillion target in investment approval happen in 2023.

Providing a total of 230 jobs for Filipinos, CI NMF (PH) Corp. will operate the following offshore wind power projects in various parts of the country: 1,000 MW San Miguel Bay Offshore Wind Power Project offshore of Camarines Norte and Sur; 650 MW Samar Norte Offshore Wind Power Project offshore of Samar, and 350 MW Dagupan Offshore Wind Power Project offshore of Pangasinan and La Union.

“This project is an example of the foreign investors’ deepening interest in investing in the Philippines. It also shows that we are positioning our country as an ideal investment of choice, especially in green investments such as in renewable energy and green metals. I am confident that we can make more investments happen in the Philippines before the year ends,” Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo said.

Coupled with the global transition to green energy, the country is seeking to be a regional hub for sustainability, connectivity, and innovation-driven manufacturing and services. Such a positioning strategy can be bolstered by focusing on the identified priority sectors of the government, namely: electric vehicles (EVs), smart/high-tech lighting manufacturing, outsourced semicon assembly and test, green metals, high-tech agriculture, renewable energy, and data centers/telco infrastructure.

Interestingly, the 2023 Philippine investments signified the third consecutive year the BOI has surpassed the trillion-peso mark in investment approvals. The agency registered its highest investment approval of Php1.14 T in 2019, followed by Php1.02 T in 2020 despite the disruptions and challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aiming to grow beyond by going beyond, the BOI anticipates a continuous influx of investments throughout 2023, building upon the momentum of the first ten months of the year and ultimately setting the stage for another record year for Philippine investment approvals.

By Alithea De Jesus

The Board of Investments (BOI) recently approved the registration of SureStay Plus Hotel’s Php45 million COVID-19 proofed new investment project.

SureStay Plus Hotel is one of the globally-recognized and fastest-growing Best Western^® Hotels and Resorts brands. The hotel project is strategically located at the heart of Cebu City, known as the ‘Creative City of Design’. The is the second premium economy hotel project of Cebu Quad Management Corp. in partnership with SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western^®. The first hotel was in Angeles, Pampanga.  

SureStay Plus Hotel will be adopting information technology (IT) systems for contact tracing, online booking, contactless payment. The hotel will also install cameras equipped with thermal sensors or no-contact thermal scanner and disinfecting kiosks with sensors as part of measures to reduce COVID-19 infections.

SureStay Plus Hotel is projected to generate some 32 direct and indirect jobs in its first five years of operation. The project will also help address the room gap by contributing 63 new rooms and is expected to provide additional income to Food & Beverage suppliers and furniture designers and makers of high-quality handicrafts in Cebu. The project supports the government’s “Buy Local” campaign which aims to promote patronage of products and services of domestic enterprises to help them recover from losses during the lockdown.

Tourism has been among the hardest-hit sectors amid the global pandemic. As part of government’s efforts to help them, BOI has launched a campaign to support the business during the pandemic. The campaign aims to provide Philippine businesses with the information and the help they need in view of the Covid-19 crisis. The campaign also promotes government help in a range of areas, from movement of goods to schemes for manufacturers.

BOI also collaborated closely with the Department of Tourism to introduce a policy providing investment incentives for tourism and tourism-related industries that are upgrading and modernizing their facilities in order to operate under the new normal.

“The tourism sector has been one of the worst affected of all the major sectors of the economy due to the current health crisis. By providing investment incentives, we hope that the sector, which was a major driver of the economy’s growth pre-Covid-19, will stay afloat, continue business operations, and recover the soonest while ensuring the health, safety and wellness of tourists,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat.

“Tourist accommodation facilities who would like to undertake improvements to make their facilities COVID-proof may consider applying for registration of such with the BOI as modernization projects,” she said.

“Even tourism facilities in Boracay, which currently do not qualify for incentives for new and expansion projects because of locational restrictions, may qualify for this special type of incentives for Covid modernization/upgrade projects. These incentives are meant to help the tourism industry recover faster and provide comfort/safety in our tourism facilities,” Secretary Puyat said.

Tourism remains a key development pillar that generates high economic gains for the country and livelihood for the Filipinos. Further, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals has identified tourism as among the driving forces to promote a sustained and inclusive growth.

As a labor-intensive sector, the accommodation segment employs about 1.91 million Filipinos or 33.6 percent share in the total employment in 2019.

Accommodation is an important tourism value chain of the country being a leading dollar earner along with the overseas Filipino workers and business process outsourcing firms. The average length of stay of foreign visitors is usually up to 9.49 nights with an average daily expenditure of USD 128.35. In terms of contribution to economy, the sector contributed Php518.72 million or 20.9 percent in the total of Tourism Direct Gross Value Added (TDGVA) of P2.48 trillion in 2019. (END)

With the ramping up of expansion of Yokoisada (Phils.), a Japanese face masks company, groundbreaking of Sumitomo Wiring System in Pangasinan, and the recent decision of Yokowo Co., Ltd. to set up their business in the Philippines after carefully scouting around the Southeast Asia region, the Chairman of Board of Investments Philippines and Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez takes pride of another dealbreaker meeting with Taiheiyo Cement Group.

The Trade Chief announced that various infrastructure commitments are underway to support the growing demand in the country’s housing, commercial, and infrastructure development sectors, especially with the massive “Build, Build, Build” program.

The agreement was part of the Letter of Intent (LOI) that DTI and Taiheiyo, represented by President and Representative Director, Mr. Shuji Fukuda, signed during President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s official working visit in Tokyo last October 2017. The LOI, which pledged to increase Taiheiyo’s production capacity, included expanding shipping bases out of Cebu to areas such as Luzon, Iloilo, and Davao. The company also committed to enhance logistics and meet environmental protection programs through the installation of a 2-kilometer marine belt conveyor, expansion of the berth and jetty in San Fernando, Cebu, and the adoption of energy-efficient production processes.

Taiheiyo Cement announced the construction of a new production line worth JPY30 billion (around US284,862,420.00) to increase the production capacity in Cebu, the Philippines.

“The new Taiheiyo Cement expansion project is a strategic investment not only in the context of the President’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program, but also from the perspective of meeting the demand of our country’s economic recovery. This is estimated by both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to reach 6.2% to 6.8% in 2021,” Sec. Lopez said.

Taiheiyo executives in Japan reported that all these commitments are underway. Taiheiyo Cement Corporation also instructed its Philippine subsidiary, Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Inc. (TCPI), to formally announce its decision to construct a new production line in Cebu on November 10. The project, valued at PHP 15 billion, includes a state-of-the-art facility employing novel and advanced technologies from developers in Europe and other leading global technology providers.

Further, the expansion promises to increase TCPI’s cement capacity by 50% in the immediate term and by 150% in the medium term. The enhanced capacity is projected to increase Taiheiyo’s current Philippine market share from 7% to 10%. The project promises to adhere to green economy requirements via the introduction of energy-efficient operations, which will bring about a reduction by 10% of carbon dioxide emissions from energy use in clinker production from the old line’s energy efficiency rates.

Sec. Lopez said Taiheiyo’s expansion plans will support DTI’s cornerstone strategy, REBUILD PH or “REvitalizing BUsinesses, Investments, Livelihoods, and Domestic Demand.” This strategy is designed to jumpstart and reinvigorate the economy by enhancing both production capacity and revitalizing consumption.

The trade chief added that, “This partnership offers numerous opportunities that will complement economic growth opportunities in the Philippines as we aim to build back better.”

“That is why DTI will continue to support and pursue investments geared towards ensuring domestic sufficiency in industrial base requirements for cement, steel, petrochemicals, and energy. This, in turn, will also provide jobs and sources of income for our countrymen, which will be vital in the post-pandemic recovery of our nation,” Sec. Lopez said.

Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo advised that the DTI-Board of Investments (BOI) will review the project’s new technologies for incentive eligibility. He also said that BOI will be ready to provide investment facilitation services through its standing cooperation with related agencies responsible for the issuance of relevant permits and licenses.

In 2019, the Philippines imported USD 543.9 million with cement importations increasing by an average of 213.8% from 2015. This makes the country the third-largest cement importer in the world after the US and China.

DTI Special Trade Representative Dita Angara-Mathay reported that “This year alone, three new investment projects from Japan have announced amid the pandemic: two expansions and one new project in the fields of manufacturing for export and industrial operations.”

“These projects will meet the infrastructure demands of a growing domestic market, and is a fitting testimony of how Philippine-Japan economic ties are continuing to grow from strength to strength,” she said.

The Taiheiyo Cement Group headquarters in Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan runs diverse businesses from cement, mineral resources, environmental, construction materials to real estate, engineering, data processing, finance, transportation, warehousing, chemicals, and sports.

Read related stories:

https://thephilbiznews.com/japanese-company-picks-ph-sets-to-roll-out-its-manufacturing-company-soon/

https://thephilbiznews.com/sumitomo-wiring-system-groundbreaking-kicks-off-sets-to-boost-ph-innovation/

https://thephilbiznews.com/japan-face-masks-company-ramps-up-expansion-in-the-philippines/

https://thephilbiznews.com/japanese-firms-to-invest-usd-1-24-billion-in-the-philippines-on-their-new-projects-expansion-plans/

https://thephilbiznews.com/japanese-firms-to-invest-usd-1-24-billion-in-the-philippines-on-their-new-projects-expansion-plans/

https://thephilbiznews.com/japanese-companies-bullish-in-ph-business-climate-expected-further-increase-in-2019/