Maharlika sees 1st half closing for some agri investment deals

THE Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) is hoping to close investment deals with agricultural companies within the first half, saying the prospective recipients of its funding have strong export and job-creation potential.

“Our goal is to back companies ready to scale — providing the resources to improve efficiency and increase export volume, which in turn secures and generates vital employment,” MIC President and Chief Executive Officer Rafael D. Consing, Jr. said in a statement on Monday.

He added that the sovereign wealth fund, launched in 2023, is advancing into agriculture with a focus on “special situations” and deals with the potential to result in “strategic mergers and acquisitions.”

“The fund is targeting enterprises with strong export promise and a significant labor component, aiming to close deals within the first half of 2026,” it added.

The MIC also said it considers “promising agri-businesses” a key priority and seeks to unlock their full potential.

In the Philippines, agricultural exports accounted for 11.7% of total exports in November, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

For the first 11 months, the agricultural trade deficit totaled $10.3 billion, narrowing about 4.6% from a year earlier. Agricultural exports at the end of November amounted to $8.33 billion.

Last year, the MIC announced a memorandum of understanding with Thai conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group Co., Ltd.

The fund also agreed to establish a private equity fund to raise up to $1 billion for investments in agriculture and food production, digital innovation, and sustainable energy.

Agriculture is among the MIC’s four strategic pillars alongside energy, logistics, and mining.

“Beyond its contribution to national output — including the 5% GDP growth target — the (mining) sector serves as a long-term strategic hedge for MIC, helping preserve capital value against long-term currency volatility and global inflationary pressures,” it said.

In addition, the MIC said it will deploy a “sectoral and tactical” approach that will prioritize assets that address structural chokepoints and unlock export capacity.

“By marrying ‘intelligent capital’ with national imperatives, MIC will contribute to a more diversified and resilient Philippine economy,” Mr. Consing said.

The MIC posted income of P2.68 billion in 2024, up from P154.3 million a year earlier. It remitted P1.45 billion to the Treasury. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante