The government is stepping up its push to capture a larger share of the lucrative meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) market, injecting an additional P140 million into the expansion of the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) to strengthen the country’s business tourism infrastructure.
The National Development Co. (NDC) said its Board approved the fresh equity investment in Manila Exposition Complex Inc. (MECI) on June 3, with the funds fully released on June 29 to support the P3-billion expansion of the exhibition complex in Pasay City.
The project covers a P2.6-billion state-of-the-art exhibition hall and a P400-million multi-level parking facility, with commercial operations targeted to begin by May 2028.
The latest capital infusion reinforces the government’s strategy of using public investments to unlock private sector growth in industries with high economic spillover, particularly business events that generate demand for hotels, restaurants, transport and other tourism-related services.
As the government’s investment arm, NDC owns about 36.36 percent of MECI, the company that owns and operates WTCMM.
NDC said the expansion comes as demand for world-class exhibition and convention venues continues to recover alongside the resurgence of international trade fairs, corporate events and business travel.
Located in Metro Manila’s commercial district, WTCMM enjoys proximity to government offices, corporate headquarters, airports and major transport corridors, positioning it to attract both local and international events.
Opened in 1996, WTCMM is the country’s only exhibition venue accredited by the Union des Foires Internationales, the global association of the exhibition industry, and is part of the World Trade Centers Association network.
The investment also reflects a broader government effort to position the Philippines as a more competitive MICE destination in Southeast Asia, where neighboring countries have invested heavily in modern convention facilities to attract high-spending business travelers.
NDC said the investment is consistent with its mandate under Presidential Decree No. 1648 to pursue strategic projects that stimulate long-term investment, enhance national competitiveness and create broader economic opportunities through partnerships with the private sector.
