President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. invited American business leaders to explore investment opportunities in the Philippines, highlighting his administration’s commitment to building a competitive and investor-friendly environment.
“We are ready to work with you. The Philippines is open— and I mean that not as a slogan, but as a commitment from my administration,” Marcos said during a dinner reception hosted by LT Group, Inc. on Monday (Tuesday in Manila).
The President pointed to ongoing reforms designed to streamline business processes, reduce bureaucracy, and enhance infrastructure, describing these efforts as positioning the country “at a moment of real opportunity.”
Marcos emphasized global supply chain shifts as a unique chance for the Philippines to attract manufacturing operations. He cited the country’s skilled, adaptable, and English-speaking workforce, combined with infrastructure investments, as key advantages.
“We have a government that is actively investing in industrial zones and manufacturing corridors, and that is serious about making the Philippines a reliable node in global supply chains,” he said.
He identified specific sectors for potential investment, including electronics, aerospace components, medical devices, food processing, and high-value manufacturing.
Financial services also present opportunities, Marcos noted, as many Filipinos remain underserved by traditional banking. Fintech, digital payments, microfinance, and tailored insurance products, he said, offer strong potential for innovation and growth.
Additionally, the President stressed the government’s efforts to deepen capital markets, positioning the Philippines “not just as a consumer market, but also as a financial center.”
On the technology front, Marcos said his administration is actively engaging global hyperscalers, data center operators, and tech firms to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure.
“We are not waiting to be discovered. We are making the case, actively and deliberately, that the Philippines is where you want to be,” he told the assembled business leaders.
Marcos concluded by encouraging investors to seek opportunities and assured them of the government’s full support: “So tonight, I encourage you—talk to each other, find the opportunities. And when you do, know that you have a partner in the Philippines who is serious about making it happen.”
The reception drew members of the US-Philippines Society, US-ASEAN Business Council, Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce, U.S. executives, and the Philippine business delegation.
LT Group, Inc., the host, is a diversified company with holdings in banking, tobacco, beverages, distilled spirits, and property development.