The Philippines is looking to leverage its massive mineral reserves, especially nickel, to carve out a dominant space in future-forward sectors like electric vehicle (EV) assembly, battery production, and digital infrastructure.
During his address at the Vietnam-Philippines Business Forum on June 1, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. showcased the nation’s strategic push to become a premier center for sustainable manufacturing and premium service sectors.
Speaking to a gathering of corporate executives and prospective investors, Marcos declared that the Philippines is primed for fresh alliances and capital inflows capable of accelerating economic growth.
”Beyond these policy reforms, we are focused on industries that will shape the future,” Marcos said.
”The Philippines seeks to maximize the value of its vast green metal resources and its operating nickel mines to support electric vehicle production, battery manufacturing, and digital infrastructure supply chains,” he added.
The President explained that the administration’s blueprint carefully balances industrial advancement with ecological stewardship by advocating for eco-friendly extraction and ethical mining standards.
Beyond green technology, Marcos highlighted aggressive initiatives to upgrade the local shipbuilding industry and scale up defense manufacturing. These sectors, he noted, are pivotal for safeguarding maritime borders, maintaining regional peace, and securing long-term economic resilience.
”Ladies and gentlemen, governments can only provide direction. We can build institutions, we can enact reforms, and invest in infrastructure,” he said.
”But progress ultimately depends on people who are willing to seize opportunities and transform these ideas into reality,” he added.
Expressing high hopes for the convention, the President anticipates it will yield concrete investment pledges, joint ventures, and bilateral pacts to deepen financial networks between Manila and Hanoi. He praised the evolving dynamic between the two Southeast Asian neighbors, noting it is built on robust commercial synergy, adaptability, and a unified vision for a more cohesive ASEAN.
Marcos provided context to this partnership by noting that Vietnam was the Philippines’ 11th largest trading partner in 2024, with two-way trade hitting $7.17 billion.
He pointed out that the Philippines significantly fueled Vietnam’s tech ecosystem, exporting over $424 million in digital monolithic integrated circuits and upward of $200 million in electric motors in 2025.
Concurrently, Vietnam remains a cornerstone of Philippine food security and industrial supply lines, delivering more than $1.32 billion in rice alongside critical electronic hardware.