As global manufacturing landscapes reorganise and businesses accelerate transformation, the Philippines is rapidly emerging as a notable new choice for overseas manufacturing in the Asia-Pacific region. JLL has observed this trend and will partner with , the Philippines’ largest and leading industrial estate developer, to host the “New Asia-Pacific Manufacturing Layout: Philippines Economic Zone Investment Forum” on August 27. The forum will bring together experts from real estate, finance, and industry to analyse the latest policies, infrastructure, and tax advantages of Philippine manufacturing bases, helping Taiwanese businesses strengthen their global operational layout.

The forum will feature the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Taipei (PTIC), who will explain tax exemptions and investment incentives for industrial manufacturing. Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates will introduce their four major economic zones, which feature comprehensive electricity, water, and waste management facilities, and already host about 24 Taiwanese companies. JLL will share how to assist businesses in establishing operations in high-standard economic zones to achieve stable implementation and maximize operational benefits. Experts in multinational taxation and financial markets will also explain cross-border investment tax solutions and practices, serving as strong support for Taiwanese businesses interested in setting up factories in the Philippines.

In recent years, due to geopolitical factors such as US-China trade tensions, major international manufacturers have chosen to diversify production risks by seeking production planning outside of China. Considering the impacts of geopolitics, technological development, talent, and costs, companies from the US, Japan, South Korea, and Europe have begun heavily investing in Southeast Asian markets. Among these, the Philippines is quickly becoming a new focus for overseas manufacturing in the Asia-Pacific region due to its demographic dividend, tax incentives, and geographic advantages.

Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates: Your Scalable Gateway to the Philippines

As one of Asia’s leading developers and operators of industrial-anchored estates, Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates plays a central role in creating investor-ready environments where global businesses can grow with confidence. Backed by the 100-year legacy of the Aboitiz Group, Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates (AIC EE) has developed over 2,000 hectares of fully integrated estates across Luzon and Visayas, hosting more than 250 multinational and local locators.

Its four flagship estates—LIMA Estate in Batangas, MEZ2 Estate and West Cebu Estate in Cebu, and TARI Estate in Tarlac—are PEZA-registered zones designed for a wide range of industries, from electronics and food manufacturing to shipbuilding and logistics. Together, these estates have generated over 100,000 jobs and attracted PHP 167 billion in investments to the Philippines.

Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates’ economic zones are supported by a full ecosystem of solutions delivered by Aboitiz Group companies, including power, water, construction, digital infrastructure, financial services, and residential housing—ensuring seamless operations from site entry to business expansion. With plug-and-play infrastructure, one-stop-shop services, and ready-built factory buildings, Aboitiz InfraCapital provides Taiwanese businesses with an easier, faster and lower-risk pathway to manufacturing success in the Philippines.

Companies like Kinpo Electronics and Fong Shann Printing have already expanded significantly within AIC EE estates, demonstrating strong investor satisfaction and long-term commitment. These success stories reflect not just the strength of available incentives, but also the consistency and reliability of both government policy and day-to-day operations—creating a high-trust environment where businesses can grow with confidence.

With a strong foundation in sustainability, innovation, and ease of doing business, Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates offers a compelling entry point for Taiwanese firms looking to strengthen their supply chains and capture regional growth opportunities.

New Manufacturing Transformation Layout: Philippines Becomes a Market of Interest for Taiwanese Businesses

The Philippines is one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia. According to World Bank public data, the Philippines’ annual GDP growth rate has been around 6% in recent years, with the economy in a rapid development stage. With a population of approximately 116 million and a median age of just 25, the Philippines offers abundant young labor and ranks first in Asia for English proficiency, making it particularly suitable for BPO (Business Process Outsourcing), manufacturing, and other industries. International companies including Epson, Intel, Samsung, ASUS, Wistron, and ASE Group have established factories there. As supply chains improve, the Philippines has shown potential for forming industrial clusters.

Preferential Policies Increase Investment Appeal, Renewable Energy Becomes an Investment Highlight

According to JLL’s observations, the Philippines is gradually becoming a new hotspot for Taiwanese businesses expanding overseas. As a long-term security partner of the United States, the Philippines was previously revealed by the White House to face a proposed tax rate of 19%, lower than some Asian countries. Combined with its well-established economic zone system, it is attracting increasing attention from foreign investors. The Philippine government’s strong promotion of the automotive industry has led international car manufacturers like Toyota and Honda to establish assembly plants and component production lines in the Philippines.

On the policy front, the Philippines has announced multiple foreign investment-friendly policies, allowing 100% foreign ownership for manufacturing, export enterprises, and certain technology industries. Economic zones offer substantial benefits including 4-7 years of corporate income tax exemptions and duty-free import of equipment. The 2022 amendment to the Foreign Investment Act further relaxed restrictions on foreign investment, making the Philippines a new choice for global overseas investment and providing an important strategic foothold for the sustainable development of Taiwan’s manufacturing industry.

Beyond industry policies and tax benefits, the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) recently signed an agreement with the Philippine government to provide technical support for building the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas (SCMB) railway, enhancing transportation connectivity between these four major ports and reducing transportation costs and time for businesses.

Additionally, the Philippines has a diversified energy structure, combining geothermal, solar, hydro, natural gas, and renewable energy generation methods, with a target of achieving 35% renewable energy by 2030. Many economic zones have established independent power grids or backup systems to ensure industrial production is not affected by external power fluctuations, which is particularly attractive for energy-intensive industries.