The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said that SHERA Public Co. Ltd.’s P2.9-billion plant would boost the Philippines' aspiration to become a global manufacturing hub.
Trade Secretary Cristina A. Roque said that this investment from SHERA, the leading fiber cement innovator in Southeast Asia based in Thailand, is also expected to generate 300 high-quality jobs in the local market.
"This investment aligns perfectly with our strategic goals of becoming a global hub for manufacturing,” Roque said in a statement on Monday, Oct. 14.
“By leveraging state-of-the-art technologies such as AI and Internet of Things (IoT), SHERA is setting a new standard for innovation in the Philippines,” she added.
SHERA is currently constructing a green facility in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, that will utilize AI to produce fiber cement boards. The plant is expected to begin operations in the first quarter of 2025.
According to the DTI, this new facility will introduce SHERA's advanced fiber cement building materials to the Philippine market, renowned for their stability, strength, and weather resistance.
Once operational, the plant will manufacture a range of fiber cement products for both residential and commercial construction, including roofing, siding, wall panels, and door jambs.
DTI noted that SHERA’s decision to invest in the Philippines was influenced by the country’s robust economic growth, a thriving construction industry, and its strategic location within Southeast Asia.
Additionally, SHERA sees the Philippines as a potential export hub for markets such as Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
“This investment is particularly significant as the Philippines currently relies on imports for 100 percent of its fiber cement board requirements,” DTI said. “By establishing a local facility, SHERA’s investment will reduce the country’s import dependence.”