President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. affirmed the nation’s readiness to become a prime investment destination, telling global executives and businesses on Friday that a sweeping agenda of economic and regulatory reforms is now complete and geared toward maximizing business operational efficiency.
Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit, President Marcos aligned the Philippines’ vision with the Asia-Pacific Business Advisory Council (ABAC) 2025 theme, “Bridge, Business, Beyond,” emphasizing a strategic national drive for a strong, innovation-driven economy that will be vital in propelling long-term regional progress.
“We have carried out reforms to ensure the Philippines is equipped to attract more investments and dramatically improve the ease of doing business,” President Marcos stated. “Our strategic embrace of emerging technologies and our commitment to regulatory stability will drive inclusive economic competitiveness across the region.”
The President highlighted significant government initiatives aimed at modernizing governance and streamlining investment processes:
Digital Leap: The government is rapidly expanding its digital infrastructure, particularly into underserved and rural areas. This includes the implementation of the National AI Strategy Roadmap to guide the responsible and transformative use of Artificial Intelligence across public services, trade, and to amplify the capabilities of MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) through automation and data-driven decision-making.
Regulatory Stability: Key legislation has been enacted to solidify investor confidence. This includes updating the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law with the new Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code, establishing green lanes for strategic investments (Executive Order No. 18), liberalizing private land leases for foreign investors (Republic Act No. 12252), and creating a stable and transparent fiscal regime for large-scale metallic mining (Republic Act No. 12253).
Ease of Entry: To facilitate swift entry, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) launched the OneSEC Zuper Easy Registration Online (ZERO) Facility for foreign companies intending to operate domestically.
The Philippine government has also cemented its commitment to fiscal modernization and global trade connectivity. The President cited the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act and the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA) as foundational measures. Furthermore, the Inter-Agency Technical Working Group on Sustainable Finance, or the “Green Force,” has been strengthened to advance the nation’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) agenda.
In terms of regional integration, the Philippines is leveraging its participation in the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and is actively negotiating a Philippines-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and a Philippines-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The country is also pursuing membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
“These policies are not just about opening doors; they are about building a solid, reliable foundation for enduring partnerships,” President Marcos concluded. “The Philippines is ready to be your bridge to opportunity, ensuring that business transcends current boundaries toward a more inclusive and prosperous future.”
