The Philippines strengthens investment partnership with Poland at high-level PEZA business forum

The Philippines reinforced its position as a strategic investment destination in Southeast Asia as senior government officials and industry leaders from Poland’s West Pomeranian Voivodship met with Philippine counterparts at a high-level business forum hosted by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

The Trade and Investment Mission brought together Polish government leaders, economic development agencies, and major companies in maritime engineering, logistics, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing to explore opportunities in the Philippine market.

The delegation was led by Polish Ambasador to the Philippines H.E. Katarzyna Wilkowiecka and Anna Bańkowska Deputy Governor of the West Pomeranian Voivodship, accompanied by representatives from the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Manila.

Opening the forum, PEZA Director General Theo Panga emphasized the Philippines’ strong economic fundamentals and its growing role as a regional hub for manufacturing, logistics, and globally integrated services.

“The Philippines offers a stable and competitive investment environment supported by sound macroeconomic policies, structural reforms, and a young, highly skilled workforce,” Panga said. “Our economic zones provide global investors with an efficient, predictable, and investor-friendly ecosystem.”

Joining the discussions were senior officials from PEZA, including Deputy Director General for Operations Vivian S. Santos and Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning Emmanuel D. Cordero, reflecting the agency’s whole-of-government approach to investment promotion.

The Philippines’ strong investment case continues to be reinforced by global financial institutions. The country maintains investment-grade sovereign credit ratings from Moody’s, Fitch Ratings, and S&P Global Ratings, while the World Bank recently classified the Philippines as an upper-middle-income economy, highlighting its sustained economic growth and improving global competitiveness.

During the forum, global tax policy expert Mon Abrea, Founding Chairman and Chief Tax Advisor of the Asian Consulting Group (ACG), delivered an investment and tax briefing for the Polish delegation, outlining the Philippines’ competitive fiscal incentive regime and streamlined regulatory framework for foreign investors.

“Investing in the Philippines is not just about accessing a market,” Abrea said. “It is about building long-term partnerships in a country that combines economic growth, policy reform, and a culture that values trust and collaboration.”

Foreign investors benefit from a liberal investment regime where many sectors allow 100% foreign ownership, particularly in export enterprises, manufacturing, IT-BPM services, and renewable energy. Recent reforms have also opened telecommunications, shipping, aviation, and other key sectors to greater foreign participation.

Companies locating within PEZA economic zones benefit from highly competitive fiscal incentives, including Income Tax Holidays, Special Corporate Income Tax options, and enhanced deductions for key operating expenses. Investors also enjoy simplified customs procedures, special visas for foreign executives and their families, and a one-stop regulatory framework that significantly reduces administrative complexity.

The Polish delegation included companies representing the industrial and maritime ecosystem of West Pomerania, including Elektryka Morska, JPP Marine, Slipform, NAVMAR Jagniatkowski, Phoenix Poland, Wojnarowski & Partners, and Inter-metal.

Philippine ecozone locators and industry partners also participated in the discussions, including executives from Allogrove and Aboitiz Economic Estates, highlighting the Philippines’ rapidly expanding industrial infrastructure and investment-ready economic zones.

The forum underscored the growing strategic partnership between Poland and the Philippines, with both countries exploring deeper collaboration in infrastructure, maritime services, manufacturing, and industrial technology.

Concluding his remarks, Abrea emphasized the deeper cultural connection between the two nations.

“Doing business in the Philippines is not only about economic opportunity,” he said. “It is about relationships — partnerships built on trust, shared values, and long-term growth.”

“Polska i Filipiny — dobrzy przyjaciele.”

Poland and the Philippines — good friends.

About ACG

Asian Consulting Group (ACG) is a premier tax advisory and investment consulting firm in the Philippines, helping multinational corporations and foreign investors successfully enter and expand in the Philippine market. Founded by global tax policy expert and leading tax reform advocate Mon Abrea, ACG provides strategic guidance on tax incentives, cross-border taxation, and investment structuring — positioning the Philippines as a competitive and sustainable destination for global investors. For inquiries, email: consult@acg.

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