The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) disclosed that three major Japanese investors are planning to expand their operations in the Philippines.

PEZA Director General Tereso Panga, who was guest speaker during an Economic Seminar in Tokyo recently, reported that he held talks with long-time PEZA investors Tsuneishi, electronics manufacturing firm SIIX Co., and automobile manufacturer FCC Co., Ltd.  The seminar hosted by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. was attended by 140 Japanese firms. 

According to PEZA, Tsuneishi is preparing for its fifth phase of expansion, including projects to manufacture the world’s first methanol-fueled TEU container carriers and establishing a wood pelletizing business.

Since 1994, the Japanese shipbuilder has already expanded its Philippine operations four times. Its first project was its shipbuilding business in Balamban, Cebu which grew to a 170-hectare facility from 25 hectares. 

It also employs around 10,000 direct and subcontracted employees, a long way from the mere 300 workers it had when it began operations. 

In Panga’s meeting with SIIX Co.,Ltd, its President Koji Yanase said they see their Philippine operations “playing a crucial role as they expand their core business and enter new territories.”

SIIX Co. has been engaging with the Philippines since 1957 as with the establishment of the first offshore operations for their ink production in the country. 

The company said that it will manufacture its patented conductive ink in the Philippines, according to Panga. 

Meanwhile, Yoshitaka Saito’s FCC Co. said they expect their Philippine operations to grow in the coming years as they ramp up “manufacturing of the clutch for Honda Click 125 motorcycle, production of paper ceramics for other electronics component manufacturers, and investment in new advanced technology businesses that will involve the assembly line for scooters, lining molding line, and weight line.” 

FCC is also eyeing involvement in the country’s circular economy through using solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) for water filtration and production of solid biomass fuel. 

Aside from the three firms, PEZA also met with IMES, and Japanese micro, small, medium enterprise (MSME) TOM’S Manufacturing.

Hosted by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), PEZA joined an Economic Seminar in Tokyo to promote investment opportunities in the Philippines to Japanese corporate stakeholders. 

Panga presented the PEZA ecozones, touting it as optimal business areas and manufacturing hubs for Japanese locators. 

Japan is PEZA’s largest investor with 28 percent share in total investments. Japanese investments have generated P798 billion, $16.3 billion in exports, and 342,845 direct jobs across 877 PEZA-registered business enterprises (RBEs).