The Philippines is courting 16 major South Korean manufacturing and technology firms, many of which are part of the global supply-chain network of Samsung Electro-Mechanics (SEMCO) to expand their operations in the country.
The Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), in partnership with Samsung Electro-Mechanics Philippines Corp. (SEMPHIL), brought the companies together for a high-level investment roundtable in Seoul. The meeting was held on the sidelines of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s visit to Seoul for the APEC 2025 Summit.
The participating South Korean companies are exploring expansion and partnership opportunities within the Philippines’ network of economic zones, particularly in high-growth sectors such as electronics, semiconductors and electric vehicle (EV) components. Many of the firms are tier-one and tier-two suppliers of Samsung Electro-Mechanics.
PEZA director-general Tereso Panga underscored the Philippines’ strong fundamentals as an investment destination, citing its strategic ASEAN location, young, English-proficient and tech-ready workforce, large domestic market and competitive incentive framework.
Panga said these factors position the country as a natural partner for Korean industries seeking to scale their presence in the region.
“South Korea has long been one of PEZA’s most valued partners. This roundtable reaffirms our shared commitment to build globally competitive, sustainable, and technology-driven industrial ecosystems where Korean innovation and Filipino talent can thrive together,” said Panga.
OSAPIEA Secretary Frederick Go signaled the government’s commitment to supporting Korean investors through policy reforms and streamlined facilitation.
“The Philippines welcomes our Korean partners in building an ecosystem of advanced manufacturing alongside industry leaders like Samsung, fostering greater operational efficiency, reducing costs, and strengthening regional competitiveness,” Go said.
He said that like Samsung, the companies could benefit from CREATE MORE’s enhanced incentives to empower their businesses to expand, innovate and achieve sustained growth in the Philippines.
The investment roundtable follows the recent presidential approval of SEMPHIL’s P50.7-billion expansion project, the first major high-tech investment registered under the CREATE MORE Act.
The project is viewed as a strong signal of investor confidence in the country’s reform-driven and innovation-led economic agenda.
