Top South Korean manufacturing and technology firms that supply parts and equipment to Samsung Electro-Mechanics (SEMCO) have expressed interest in expanding their operations in Philippine economic zones.

This was after the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA), headed by Secretary Frederick Go, and Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Tereso Panga, in partnership with Samsung Electro-Mechanics Philippines Corporation (SEMPHIL), convened top South Korean manufacturing and technology firms in a high-level business forum titled “Unlocking New Opportunities in the Philippines: A Roundtable for South Korean Investors,” at the sidelines of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s visit to South Korea for the APEC 2025 Summit.

The roundtable brought together sixteen South Korean companies—most of them part of the supply-chain network of SEMCO—to explore new opportunities for expansion and collaboration within the Philippines’ economic zones.

In his presentation, DG Panga highlighted the Philippines’ strong fundamentals as an investment destination, its strategic ASEAN location, young, English-proficient, and tech-savvy workforce, growing domestic market, and competitive incentive regime—positioning it as a natural partner for Korean industries aiming to strengthen their regional presence.

“South Korea has long been one of PEZA’s most valued partners,” said DG Panga. “This roundtable reaffirms our shared commitment to build globally competitive, sustainable, and technology-driven industrial ecosystems where Korean innovation and Filipino talent can thrive together.”

The participating firms, many of which serve as tier-one and tier-two suppliers of SEMCO, expressed strong interest in expanding within PEZA’s network of ecozones across the country, recognizing the Philippines’ strategic position in the electronics, semiconductor, and EV manufacturing value chains.

The forum served as a platform for business-to-government and business-to-business engagement, with discussions focusing on investment facilitation, incentives, infrastructure, and workforce development—supporting the Marcos Administration’s push for industrial upgrading and regional value-chain integration.

Testimonial, government commitment

A testimonial was delivered by Kyeongwoo Ryu, president of SEMPHIL, who shared the company’s success story as one of Samsung’s key production bases within a PEZA ecozone.

“Our experience in the Philippines proves that PEZA is a true partner for investors,” said Ryu. “The supportive business environment and talented Filipino workforce make the country an excellent place for long-term growth.”

Secretary Go, for his part, highlighted key reforms recently enacted, in addition to the CREATE MORE Act, which strengthen the country’s investment environment and elevate its global competitiveness, including the amended Investor’s Lease Act and the new mining fiscal regime.

Go likewise reaffirmed the government’s commitment to facilitating investment partnerships with South Korea.

“The Philippines welcomes our Korean partners in building an ecosystem of advanced manufacturing alongside industry leaders like Samsung—fostering greater operational efficiency, reducing costs, and strengthening regional competitiveness. Like Samsung, you too can benefit from CREATE MORE’s enhanced incentives that will empower your businesses to expand, innovate, and achieve sustained growth in the Philippines.”