Over 200 Japanese firms eye Luzon corridor

More than 200 Japanese business leaders and senior executives explored investment opportunities in the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) as the Philippines sought to position the region as a strategic base for manufacturing, logistics, energy, digital infrastructure and other high-value industries.

Investment prospects

Investment prospects were presented during the Philippine Investment Forum-Japan held in Osaka on 1 October and Tokyo on 5 October.

The two-city roadshow was led by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry-Philippine Trade and Investment Center and the Philippine Embassy in Japan.

The LEC connects Subic Bay, Clark, Metro Manila and Batangas, with development plans focused on improving connectivity, strengthening supply chains and expanding energy and digital infrastructure.

BCDA president and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang said the corridor could deepen the Philippines’ longstanding economic partnership with Japan as global supply chains evolve.

“Japan has long been a cornerstone partner in the Philippines’ industrial development. The Luzon Economic Corridor gives us an opportunity to take that partnership into the next generation of industries,” Bingcang said.

The BCDA Group presented investment opportunities across Clark, Subic, Poro Point, Camp John Hay, Metro Manila and New Clark City. These included aviation, logistics, advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure, energy, maritime trade and urban development.

Private-sector groups Science Park of the Philippines and Filinvest Land also joined the roadshow, while InfiniVAN, Marubeni Corp. and Kansai Electric Power Co. provided business testimonials highlighting opportunities in the Philippines.