President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made a strong pitch for the country as a top-tier hub for strategic alliances and foreign capital, urging Vietnamese corporations to scale up their operations in the Philippines.
Addressing an audience of approximately 600 corporate executives and policymakers at the Vietnam-Philippines Business Forum in Manila, Marcos emphasized the country’s readiness to cultivate fresh economic breakthroughs.
The bilateral push coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations as they transition toward an Enhanced Strategic Partnership.
“Our message to the region is clear. The Philippines is positioning itself as a premier destination for smart, sustainable manufacturing and high-value services,” Marcos told around 600 business leaders and government representatives.
To sweeten the deal for global investors, the President showcased a wave of recent legislative reforms. These include the CREATE MORE Act, revisions to the Foreign Investments Act, the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, and upgraded policies granting foreign entities more stable, long-term land lease options.
The administration is actively scouting for capital injections in high-growth fields, particularly digital technology, eco-friendly manufacturing, maritime shipbuilding, critical minerals, battery manufacturing, electric vehicle production, and digital infrastructure.
Marcos pointed out that robust cross-border alliances are vital to adapting to shifting global supply chains and rapid technological advancements.
“Cooperation amongst like-minded partners has become increasingly essential. This is why our relationship with Vietnam continues to grow in importance,” he said.
Economic data reveals that Vietnam stood as the Philippines’ 11th-largest trading partner in 2025, with two-way trade volumes hitting $7.17 billion.
Philippine outbound shipments to Vietnam last year included over $424 million in digital monolithic integrated circuits and upward of $200 million in electric motors, while Vietnam served as a vital provider of electronics and rice.
Steering ASEAN as this year’s chair, Marcos noted that Manila is heavily championing broader regional integration. A key priority is the roll-out of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, an ambitious initiative aimed at launching the globe’s first legally binding, region-wide digital trade pact.
“The digital economy is the engine of our future growth. Vietnam’s collaboration is crucial,” he said.
The business forum took place in conjunction with the official state visit of Vietnamese President and Communist Party General Secretary Tô Lâm to the Philippine capital.