The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said investment leads already hit over US$76 billion, approximately (PhP4 trillion), as of January 2025.
In a statement, DTI said that spearheading this effort is DTI’s Foreign Trade Service Corps (DTI-FTSC), which has actively engaged with investors on 247 investment leads and projects.
This initiative is a core component of the DTI’s global investment and trade promotion strategy.
Notably, 51 projects are in advanced stages already: 28 companies have either registered with Securities and Exchange Commission or are working closely with investment promotion agencies to finalize their entry into the Philippines, while 23 have commenced commercial operations.
These investments span key industries, including manufacturing, information technology and business process management, renewable energy, data centers, retail, agriculture, and telecommunications.
This effort aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s economic agenda, which prioritizes attracting high-value foreign investments and strengthening the country’s position in global trade.
Driving economic growth, the DTI-FTSC plays a key role in converting investment leads from high-level trade and economic missions and engagements into job-creating projects. Furthermore, the agency facilitates business entry and transforms commitments into concrete economic benefits.
Beyond investment facilitation, the DTI-FTSC continues to expand global trade opportunities for Philippine businesses. In 2024, its network of Philippine Trade and Investment Centers (PTICs) assisted over 1,900 exporters, helping local companies and micro, small, and medium enterprises to access new markets and secure international buyers. The DTI-FTSC also engaged 2,600 potential foreign investors, providing market intelligence, business-matching services, and direct facilitation support to drive high-value investments into the country.
Furthermore, the DTI-FTSC also holds a pivotal position in advancing the Philippines’ trade policy interests on the global stage. The agency has been actively engaged in bilateral, regional, and multilateral trade negotiations to shape trade rules on key issues such as e-commerce, investment facilitation, and supply chain resilience. By participating in regional integration efforts, the DTI-FTSC strengthens and secures industry supply chains while exploring new economic cooperation opportunities worldwide.
Expanding its global reach, the DTI-FTSC has opened new offices in Toronto, Madrid, and Riyadh, bringing the total to 29 PTICs across 21 countries.
As the first quarter of 2025 concludes, the DTI-FTSC remains focused on generating high-value investment leads, expanding market access for Philippine exporters, and strengthening trade partnerships. In the coming months, DTI-FTSC will continue working to attract global businesses, forge strategic partnerships, and leverage emerging opportunities to reinforce the Philippines’ foothold in the global economy.
“The success of ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ is a shared mission. This is our commitment to the world—we are open for business, ready to welcome high-value investments, and drive innovation. Together, we are creating opportunities that uplift our people and propel the Philippine economy toward sustained growth,” Secretary Cristina A. Roque underscored at the DTI-FTSC 2025 Planning Conference.
