Sovereign wealth fund manager Maharlika Investment Corporation (MIC) is accelerating its entry into the logistics and energy sectors with two cornerstone deals expected to close in the first quarter of this year.

MIC President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rafael D. Consing told Manila Bulletin on Friday, Jan. 2, that Maharlika is “advancing” the state-run firm’s acquisition of an 11.2-percent stake in Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI).

“Investing in a premier port operator—managing critical hubs like the Manila South Harbor and the Port of Batangas—is essential to modernizing our physical infrastructure, enhancing trade efficiency, and lowering the cost of goods for the average Filipino consumer,” Consing said.

Last month, the corporation announced plans to acquire a stake to secure a significant position in one of the country’s major trade gateways. The acquisition will involve a direct share purchase and a tender offer to existing public shareholders, to be carried out alongside ATI’s voluntary delisting from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

Consing said the fund is deploying capital to capture value from critical utilities with high barriers to entry and a direct link to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

Besides ATI, Maharlika is also moving to finalize the operationalization of the fund’s investment stake in Synergy Grid & Development Phils., Inc. (SGP), which is seen as providing a foothold in the national transmission grid.

He added that the firm is also prioritizing its electrification initiatives in areas such as Mindoro and Palawan.

“By focusing on both Small Power Utilities Groups (SPUG) and grid-connected infrastructure, we aim to support the delivery of electricity infrastructure and catalyze the development of ubiquitous, lower-cost, and reliable electricity for both industrial hubs and rural communities,” the CEO said.

Consing also said MIC is exploring high-potential opportunities in the agriculture sector to build a more resilient and affordable supply chain, support local farmers, and reduce household food costs. He noted that these public-private partnerships could be forged within the first half of the year.

To provide long-term protection against potential losses from global declines in purchasing power, Maharlika is targeting to make mining a “fifth economic pillar” that generates employment.

“Beyond monitoring the progress of the MCB copper-gold project in Kalinga, our goal is to catalyze the sector toward responsible extraction and domestic processing,” Consing said. This aligns with the firm’s strategy to position mining as a major component of the country’s precious metals and industrial resource plan.

Last year, Maharlika targeted ₱1.8 billion in gross income from the ₱34.9 billion in capital it deployed. Of this, ₱1 billion was the target net income, while net returns from the fund’s capital base were expected to reach ₱4.1 billion.

Consing said the 2025 Annual Report will be released soon, providing a full overview of the fund’s first year of operations and its future plans.