Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz urged Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers to establish operations in the Philippines, highlighting the country as a strategic regional hub during a major industry exhibition in Beijing.
Speaking at the China International New Energy Vehicle Technology, Parts, and Services Exhibition on March 13, 2026, FlorCruz invited firms to invest in vehicle assembly, battery technologies and supply-chain components.
He cited the country’s English-proficient workforce, competitive operating costs and expanding industrial zones as primary incentives for Chinese companies looking to expand into Southeast Asia.
“Our aim is to create an ecosystem conducive to partnerships and collaborations, so find your right partners and let us prosper together in the Philippines,” FlorCruz told industry leaders during the event’s New Energy Vehicle Supply Chain Conference.
The pitch comes as the Philippine government moves to foster an EV-friendly environment through tax incentives, duty-free importation and streamlined investment policies.
Philippine Trade and Investment Center Economic and Trade Counsellor Glenn Peñaranda said there is strong local demand for vehicles and noted that rising interest from foreign manufacturers is making the Philippines a more attractive destination for supply-chain participation.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center hosted a dedicated business cooperation conference to engage companies specialized in batteries and related technologies. The Philippines also maintained a national booth to showcase investment opportunities to the 100s of delegates in attendance.
While the ambassador did not specify the total value of potential deals, the government has previously targeted investments worth billions of pesos to modernize its transport sector. By positioning itself as a manufacturing partner, the Philippines aims to capture a larger share of the electric mobility market as the global shift toward cleaner transportation accelerates.
