Following investment missions in various countries, the Philippines has secured a whopping $76 billion, or more than P4 trillion, in foreign investment pledges, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported on Friday.
In a statement, the DTI disclosed that this amount comes from 247 investment leads and projects as of January 2025. The agency credited these investments to the efforts of DTI’s Foreign Trade Service Corps (DTI-FTSC), which is working to position the country as a top destination for international investors through a global investment and trade promotion strategy.
The report further stated that 51 of the 247 total investment leads are already in advanced stages. Of these, 28 companies have either registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or are working closely with investment promotion agencies to finalize their entry into the Philippines. Meanwhile, 23 have already started commercial operations.
These investments span key industries, including manufacturing, information technology and business process management, renewable energy, data centers, retail, agriculture, and telecommunications.
The DTI stressed that this effort aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s economic agenda, which focuses on attracting high-value foreign investments and strengthening the country’s role in global trade.
To drive economic growth, the DTI-FTSC plays a key role in converting investment leads from high-level trade and economic missions into job-creating projects.
The agency has also been facilitating business entry and transforming commitments into concrete economic benefits. Beyond investment facilitation, the DTI-FTSC continues to expand global trade opportunities for Philippine businesses.
In 2024, its network of Philippine Trade and Investment Centers (PTICs) assisted more than 1,900 exporters. The support helped local companies and micro, small, and medium enterprises access new markets and secure international buyers.
The DTI-FTSC also engaged 2,600 potential foreign investors, providing market intelligence, business-matching services, and direct facilitation support to bring high-value investments into the country.
The agency also plays a pivotal role in advancing the Philippines’ trade policy interests on the global stage. It has been actively involved in bilateral, regional, and multilateral trade negotiations, shaping trade rules on key issues such as e-commerce, investment facilitation, and supply chain resilience. By participating in regional integration efforts, the DTI-FTSC strengthens industry supply chains while exploring new economic cooperation opportunities worldwide.
Expanding its global reach, the DTI-FTSC has opened new offices in Toronto, Madrid, and Riyadh, increasing its total to 29 PTICs across 21 countries.
As the first quarter of 2025 comes to a close, the DTI-FTSC remains focused on generating high-value investment leads, expanding market access for Philippine exporters, and strengthening trade partnerships. In the coming months, it will continue working to attract global businesses, forge strategic partnerships, and leverage emerging opportunities to reinforce the Philippines' foothold in the global economy.
"The success of ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ is a shared mission. This is our commitment to the world—we are open for business, ready to welcome high-value investments, and drive innovation. Together, we are creating opportunities that uplift our people and propel the Philippine economy toward sustained growth," Secretary Cristina Roque underscored at the recent DTI-FTSC 2025 Planning Conference.