Press Releases

Taguig City, Philippines – On 15 October 2026, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) convened business leaders and government representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Board of Investments (BOI) for a dialogue on the Philippines’ 2026 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) and Global Tech Corridors.

The dialogue explored how the Philippines can capitalize on shifting global trade and investment patterns, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), green technology, and advanced semiconductors. It also examined how the country’s updated SIPP can attract high-value investments in advanced manufacturing, critical mineral processing, and AI computing infrastructure through targeted fiscal incentives for Tier II and Tier III activities.

Discussions centered on the alignment of the Philippines’ investment priorities with three major international frameworks: Pax Silica, which aims to strengthen technology supply chains covering critical materials, semiconductor packaging, and trusted computing infrastructure; the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), which supports connectivity through investments in railways, ports, and energy infrastructure; and the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative, which promotes sustainable infrastructure, green energy, circular economy practices, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.

During his keynote address, Mr. Kenneth T. Yap, Assistant Secretary of the DTI Foreign Trade Service Corps emphasized the government’s investment priorities and the role of the 2026 SIPP in positioning the Philippines within evolving global value chains.

“Under the [PSEI] roadmap we aim to increase our semiconductors to 7% of global share. We want to increase ICT design exports to $3 Billion, and train up to 128,000 semiconductor professionals by 2030,” he remarked.

Following this, Ms. Sandra Marie S. Recolizado, Director of the BOI’s Investments Policy and Planning Service, shared the Board’s perspective on the country’s investment policy priorities and the opportunities presented by the updated SIPP.

Director Recolizado shared: “Through the 2026 SIPP, the government is promoting investments that will deepen industrial capabilities, enhance technological innovation, and move the country up the manufacturing value chains.”

The event culminated with a panel discussion moderated by Mr. Lenin Dueñas Jr., Managing Director and Head of Corporate Sector and Financial Institutions Coverage at ING Bank N.V.

The panel featured Asec. Kenneth T. Yap of the DTI; Dir. Sandra Marie S. Recolizado of the BOI; Mr. Francis Nicolas “Nic” Chua, Director of Corporate Sector Coverage and Financial Institutions at ING Bank N.V.; Mr. Teymour Benet, Head of Data Centers, SEA Development at ACCIONA; and Atty. Alden C. Labaguis, Tax/Customs Partner/Principal at SGV & Co./EY, and Vice Chairperson of the ECCP Tax and Financial Services and the Customs & Logistics Committee.

The discussion provided a platform for government, industry, and international partners to exchange perspectives on mobilizing investments, strengthening infrastructure, and advancing technology-driven and sustainable industrial development.

“The available tax incentives are favorable, but there are other incentives to look at and explore," noted SGV’s Atty. Alden C. Labaguis.

The panel also underscored the importance of coordinated policy, financing, and technical expertise in translating the Philippines’ investment priorities into tangible opportunities for businesses and investors.

“There is a whole value chain here which is very interconnected, and it moves energy and infrastructure together. [..] If this momentum of energy that the Philippines has is managed and absorbed correctly, then the digital infrastructure sector will follow and will want to be here,” shared ACCIONA’s Teymour Benet.

“The banks are ready to provide financing for all of these investments—we just need to know what they are and when they are coming,” remarked ING Bank’s Nic Chua.

Through initiatives such as this, the ECCP continues to foster public-private collaboration and strengthen European-Philippine economic ties, supporting an investment environment that encourages innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth.

To close, ING Bank’s Country Manager Jun Palanca noted: “Partnerships must lead to execution. Governments must set ambition, consistency, direction, while the private sector can bring investments, innovation, and operating capability. International partners can contribute with expertise and connectivity, and banks can help bring these elements together turning policy priorities into bankable projects.”

The ECCP’s Afternoon Assembly on Frontier Innovations and Economic Security was made possible with the support of Event Patron ING Bank N.V.