The government is ramping up efforts to position the Philippines as a leader in global trade, with a clear push to elevate its export performance by 2028.

This goal is driven by the development of agri-industrial zones, top-tier manufacturers, and technology firms, which are expected to fuel a new wave of trade growth.

With solid economic fundamentals, a growing workforce, and the rise of competitive economic zones under the Marcos administration, the country is building on its strengths to scale up exports in both goods and services.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), which contributes a significant share to the nation’s total exports, is playing a central role in this strategy.

Officials point to the country’s strong track record in key sectors — from electronics and shipbuilding to agri-based products – as a springboard for expanding the country’s export footprint.

Despite already holding a dominant position in the global supply of abaca, coconut, pineapple and other products, the administration believes there is much more untapped potential. Through sustained investment promotion, increased production and more substantial trade incentives, the goal is to raise the Philippines’ standing among the world’s top exporting economies.

PEZA, which accounts for 60 percent of the country’s total annual exports, is at the forefront of this initiative.

Electronics and semiconductors remain the country’s top export, with the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showing that electronic products accounted for 50.5 percent of total exports in April 2025, valued at $3.41 billion.

The country already holds global leadership in several key industries. The Philippines is the top exporter of abaca, supplying around 85 percent of global production. It is the second-largest exporter of coconuts, pineapples, and bananas, trailing only Indonesia, Costa Rica, and Ecuador respectively, and is among the top exporters of seaweeds and carrageenan.

Rural areas’ share grows

These agricultural exports are expected to grow significantly as the government pushes for higher output, especially in rural areas, to further raise the agriculture sector’s contribution to overall export performance.

In the electronics sector, the Philippines is recognized as the ninth-largest exporter of chips, due in large part to long-standing PEZA locators such as Texas Instruments, Analog Devices, Amkor Technology, STMicroelectronics, and ON Semiconductor.

Manufacturing continues to thrive in other areas as well. The country was ranked the fourth top shipbuilding nation globally in 2024, after China, Korea, and Japan, owing to the presence of major ecozone investors like Tsuneishi, Austal, and Keppel Shipyard.

In the activated carbon industry, the Philippines ranks among the top five global exporters, alongside China, Germany, Japan, and the United States. PEZA locators Jacobi Carbon and Haycarb lead production in this sector, while UK-based Ooleng Corporation is set to apply with PEZA to produce activated carbon using coconut and bamboo as raw materials.

Precision manufacturing is another bright spot. Although listed in international directories as Moog Singapore, the top exporter of hydraulic servo valves is actually Moog Philippines, which operates from the Baguio City Economic Zone. The facility supplies critical aircraft components to major manufacturers including Boeing, Airbus, and Bombardier.

The Philippines is also the third-largest global exporter of lawn-tennis balls, trailing China and Thailand. Head, which operates a major facility in Panabo, Davao del Norte, and Dunlop in Bataan are key contributors.

Meanwhile, in the personal care appliance segment, the country is the second-largest exporter of electric hair dryers, next to China. Global technology brand Dyson maintains its largest production site in the country.

The mining sector continues to drive exports as well. The Philippines produced 330,000 tonnes of nickel content in 2024, ranking second in the world, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. PEZA locators Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation and Coral Bay Nickel Corporation have been global leaders in nickel and cobalt mixed sulfide production since 2005.

Another high-performing segment is wiring harnesses, used in the global automotive and electronics industries. The Philippines is the fourth-largest exporter in this field, following Mexico, China, and Romania. Sumitomo, Yazaki, Furukawa, and Lear are among the major players operating in the country’s ecozones, supported by the country’s copper reserves.

IT-BPM remains key driver

On the services side, the IT-BPM sector remains a major growth engine. As of 2025, the Philippines accounts for more than 16 percent of the global outsourcing market and employs around 1.8 million professionals. The industry is projected to earn $40 billion in export revenues this year.

“This represents a 5 percent growth compared to the previous year and a 4 percent increase in jobs. The sector is also on track to reach a workforce of 2 million within the next 12 to 18 months,” the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines said.

Despite these achievements, the country currently ranks only between the top 40 and 45 exporters globally, highlighting the need to further strengthen its trade and investment position. The Marcos administration is calling for the expansion of existing investor operations, the attraction of high-value producers, and the diversification of export products to make the country more competitive on the global stage.

With the CREATE MORE Law now in effect, the Philippines is offering the most generous fiscal incentives in Southeast Asia. Combined with favorable U.S. reciprocal tariffs that benefit Philippine goods more than those from other ASEAN countries, officials see the country becoming a magnet for export-oriented investments.

The Philippine Export Development Plan 2023-2028, aligned with the Philippine Development Plan, outlines the strategic steps to elevate the country’s export competitiveness. The Department of Trade and Industry and PEZA are working in tandem to support this goal by strengthening industrial linkages and promoting high-value, technology-based industries.