The Philippines and the autonomous region of Galicia in Spain are exploring deeper maritime cooperation following a successful trade mission facilitated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Madrid in May 2025.
“Galicia’s advanced naval sector stands to benefit from the Philippines’ ambition to become a global maritime hub,” said PTIC-Madrid commercial counsellor Althea Karen Antonio, noting the Philippines’ position among the world’s top five shipbuilding nations.
She said the mission is expected to create a strong ground for joint ventures, technology transfer, and market expansion.
Galicia, one of Spain’s fastest-growing regions, is globally recognized for its shipbuilding sector, with demand rising for fishing vessels, offshore platforms, ocean liners, and maritime innovation tied to renewable energy.
The mission provided a venue for a strategic partnership with the Philippines, which is currently pursuing maritime modernization through legislative reforms such as the Shipbuilding and Ship Repair (SBSR) Development Bill.
Antonio underscored that full foreign ownership is allowed in shipbuilding ventures in the Philippines, signaling a clear opportunity for Galician shipbuilders and marine equipment manufacturers to establish a footprint in Southeast Asia.
Apart from maritime opportunities, the PTIC highlighted other potential growth areas between Galicia and the Philippines, including fashion and textile, automotive, and food and beverage.
Galicia is home to global fashion names such as INDITEX and Bimba y Lola, with its textile industry contributing 14 percent to the region’s GDP.
Antonio said the Philippine market, with its expanding middle class and projected $5.1 billion in apparel and footwear spending, is ripe for Spanish brands looking to expand through partnerships, franchising, or e-commerce, particularly with the easing of retail restrictions under the Retail Trade Liberalization Act.
Infrastructure is another promising area for engagement, with Antonio confirming that many Philippine projects under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework are open to foreign participation.
While current Philippine-Galicia trade remains at an early stage, Antonio emphasized the need for increased information exchange, targeted business matching, and institutional linkages to unlock untapped economic potential.
