PEZA banks on Mizuho Bank to cash in on Japanese investments
(PEZA photo)
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has named Tokyo-based Mizuho Bank as the country’s latest investment promotion partner, a move to seen to boost Japanese investments into the country.
PEZA Director General Tereso Panga said he has formalized this partnership through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Mizuho Bank President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Masahiko Kato last week.
The fresh agreement builds upon PEZA’s collaboration with Mizuho Bank first established in 2012, which focused on attracting Japanese firms to expand in the Philippines.
Under the MOU, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs) into the country.
PEZA clarified that these investments will extend beyond Japanese firms to include those from other Asian nations.
“We view this as the beginning of a long and productive partnership—one that will help usher in high-quality investments,” said Panga.
Panga said PEZA’s newest partnership with Mizuho Bank aims to generate more job opportunities for Filipinos. Currently, there are approximately 300,000 directly employed by Japanese companies inside PEZA economic zones (ecozones).
He added that it will also contribute to building an economy that is more resilient and globally competitive.
PEZA is looking to harness the financial institution’s vast global network, knowledge of Japanese investor requirements, and strong presence in the country, to promote the country’s ecozones.
Aligned with the commitment of developing climate-smart industries, both PEZA and Mizuho Bank are looking to pursue initiatives under the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework.
These initiatives will include carbon credits and transition financing to support companies’ shift toward a low-carbon economy.
During the first half of the year, investment approvals by PEZA reached ₱72.36 billion, up 59 percent from ₱45.48 billion in the same period last year.
The pledges, which translate to actual investments over time, cover 133 new and expansion projects.
These projects are expected to create nearly 33,000 jobs and generate $1.26 billion in export revenues.
According to PEZA, the leading source of investment commitments from January to June 2025 was South Korea, followed by the United States (US), China, the Netherlands, and Japan.