The Philippines is seeking to convert longstanding trade ties with the US into investment, technology partnerships and employment, highlighting USD8.5 billion in approved projects in the second quarter of 2026 as it courts West Coast businesses.
Approved investments from domestic and foreign sources increased 73.1 percent year on year during the period and are expected to generate more than 32,000 jobs, Trade Commissioner Kitchie Umali-Hilleard said at the 2026 Philippine Investment Mission, “Building Global Partnerships: Partner, Grow, and Succeed in the Philippines,” in Los Angeles on October 23.
Umali-Hilleard, director of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Silicon Valley, encouraged companies to assess how the country could fit into their global value chains, including as a source of components, technical personnel and product development capabilities.
Semiconductors and electronics offer an established entry point. The sector accounted for about 60 percent of Philippine merchandise exports in June 2026, while other potential areas include software, digital services, creative industries and aviation.
The government’s 2026 Strategic Investment Priority Plan also identifies activities potentially eligible for investment incentives. These include artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity, advanced research, hydrogen and nuclear energy, as well as medical infrastructure, sustainable aviation fuel, critical mineral processing and climate-related projects.
Umali-Hilleard said her office could help prospective investors coordinate with the Board of Investments, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and other government agencies on business locations, registration requirements and available incentives.
Tax expert Mon Abrea cited approximately USD6.5 billion in goods trade between California and the Philippines in 2025, pointing to existing commercial ties that businesses could develop further through local partnerships, joint ventures or Philippine subsidiaries.
“Investing in the Philippines is not simply about reconnecting with our roots. It is about creating real commercial value,” Abrea said, emphasizing ventures that are profitable, sustainable and beneficial to the broader economy.
The investment mission reflects the Philippines’ push to attract higher-value activities and deepen its participation in international supply chains. Converting investor interest into lasting economic gains, however, will depend on companies finding commercially viable opportunities and navigating the country’s regulatory and operating environment.
