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Why invest in the Philippines?

The Philippines is the third-largest English speaking country in the world, enabling its manpower to have a unique edge over neighboring countries in terms of labor quality. Its workforce is easily trainable and generally skilled. Flanked by the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea, its strategic location makes it a critical entry point to some 500 million people in the ASEAN market - offering vast trade opportunities - and an ideal base for business. It is also the best Asian country in terms of overall quality of expatriate life, considering its cultural compatibility with expatriates, housing, sporting and recreational facilities, quality healthcare, and first-rate educational institutions.

Being an archipelago, the Philippines has a lot to offer as well in terms of natural resources. Its 7,100 islands boast numerous white and black sand beaches, making it eminently attractive to vacationers and tourists. Its amazing marine biodiversity affords abundant species of flora and fauna. Land-wise, it is also among the biggest producers of copper and gold in the world.

Considering its strategic location, unique edge as an English speaking country and rich natural resources, the cost of doing business in the Philippines is surprisingly low, with wages down to less than one-fifth of that in the U.S. Communication, electricity and housing costs can go as low as a mere half of the costs in the U.S. Foreign companies now outsourcing programming and business processes to the Philippines incur 30 to 40% business cost savings, 15 to 30% call center services, and 35 to 50% application systems and software development. However infrastructures in the Philippines lag behind those of comparable countries. Furthermore, weather conditions put a regular threat on those infrastructures with frequent typhoons.

Business policies of the government tend to be investor-friendly. It has allowed more private sector participation in the development of infrastructure and services through privatization. The innovative Build-Operate-Transfer scheme has been adopted by the government. Foreign ownership of up to 100% is also allowed in almost all economic sectors. Attractive incentives are offered in numerous Special Economic Zones and Industrial Estates, which are being promoted as agricultural, industrial, commercial and recreational hubs.

Private consumption is the key driver of the Philippines economy as it represents more than 70% of GDP, a high level compared to regional peers. This private consumption is also fueled by the high level of remittances from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Remittances represented 10% of the GDP in 2008.

How to invest

Foreign corporations must first register with the Securities and Exchange Commission before they can engage in business in the Philippines. The necessary licenses or registration certificates must be secured from the appropriate government agencies, depending on where the project is to be located.

For projects outside special economic zones (SEZs), go to the Board of Investments.

For projects in any of the SEZs under the PEZA, go to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.

For projects in the Subic Bay Freeport, go to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

For projects in the Clark SEZ, go to the Clark Development Corporation.

For projects in the Cagayan SEZ, go to the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority.

For projects in the Zamboanga City SEZ, go to the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority.