Philippine officials and leading Thai business executives gathered in Bangkok on March 2 for a private CEO luncheon focused on expanding investment ties between Thailand and the Philippines, as the Southeast Asian nation continues to promote reforms aimed at attracting foreign investors.

The event, titled “Private CEO Luncheon Briefing: Investing in the Philippines,” was organized by the Asian Consulting Group in partnership with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA). The gathering brought together Thai CEOs, institutional investors and regional business leaders to explore opportunities in the Philippines as ASEAN economies deepen integration and regional supply chains evolve.

Among the distinguished speakers were Millicent Cruz Paredes, ambassador of the Philippines to Thailand; Tereso O. Panga, director-general of PEZA; Maria Emmanuelle Burgos, commercial counsellor of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center Bangkok; and tax policy expert Mon Abrea, chief tax advisor of Asian Consulting Group.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Paredes framed the conversation within the broader context of ASEAN cooperation, noting that 2025 marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the Philippines, a milestone reflecting decades of economic and cultural exchange. She also pointed to the Philippines’ upcoming role as ASEAN Chair in 2026, which is expected to further elevate regional collaboration and investment dialogue.

Director General Panga presented an overview of the Philippines’ investment landscape, pointing to the country’s network of 436 special economic zones under PEZA and a growing suite of sector-specific incentives designed to support export-oriented industries. He also emphasized government efforts to streamline investor processes through digitalization and regulatory modernization.

“The Philippines – under the impetus of Bagong Pilipinas, continues to enhance the ease of doing business while ensuring that investors have access to a competitive and transparent incentive framework,” Panga said.

Speakers also underscored the country’s economic fundamentals. According to the International Monetary Fund’s January 2026 projections, the Philippines is expected to grow by 5.6% year-on-year, placing it alongside Vietnam and among the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia. Philippine officials noted that the country’s strong domestic consumption, young workforce and expanding services sector continue to support steady economic momentum. The Philippines also retains investment-grade ratings from Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service. In addition, officials highlighted that the country is on track to achieve upper middle-income status within the next two years, reflecting continued progress in economic reform and development.

With a population of approximately 118 million, a young English-proficient workforce and a rapidly expanding middle class, the Philippines is positioning itself as a strategic destination for regional investors seeking growth markets.

A highlight of the luncheon was the international launch of “Why Invest in the Philippines? A Guide to Investing and Doing Business in the Philippines – CREATE MORE Edition,” authored by Abrea. The guide provides an overview of recent economic reforms, including the CREATE MORE Act, investment incentives, the 2025–2028 Strategic Investment Priority Plan and ongoing initiatives to improve the ease of doing business.

In his keynote remarks, Abrea framed the Philippines not as a rival to Thailand but as a complementary partner within ASEAN’s evolving economic landscape.

“We are not asking Thai investors to choose between Thailand and the Philippines,” he said. “We are inviting them to extend their home.”

He noted that recent reforms, including digital value-added tax refunds, risk-based audits and ecozone automation, are designed to enhance predictability and credibility for multinational investors.

The event also highlighted Thailand’s existing footprint within Philippine economic zones, with companies such as Novococonut Inc. and Philco Food Processing operating within PEZA-administered estates.

Participants included leaders from companies such as Sabina Plc and Khon Kaen Sugar Industry Public Company Limited, one of Thailand’s leading sugar producers and a familiar supplier to beverage manufacturers in the Philippines. Executives were also present from SCG Packaging and SCG Décor, both part of the Siam Cement Group, one of Thailand’s largest industrial conglomerates.

Representatives from TPI Polene Public Company Limited and TPI Polene Power Public Company Limited were also among the attendees. The TPI Polene group, a major Thai industrial conglomerate with operations spanning cement, petrochemicals and energy, generates annual revenues of more than $1 billion. Also present were executives from Siam Health Group, as well as investment advisory firms including Siam M&A and private equity Arc9 Capital.

For organizers, the Bangkok luncheon marked the start of the 2026 Philippine Investment Mission, which will bring similar briefings to key financial centers around the world under the theme “The Philippines Rises, The World Invests.”

As ASEAN economies deepen their connections, the dialogue in Bangkok reflected a shared ambition: that regional growth is strongest when investment flows across borders.