Investments approved by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) in the first four months of the year rose by 72 percent to more than ₱100 billion compared to a year ago, as the country’s ecozones continue to attract capital amid ongoing global volatility.

PEZA said it approved a total of ₱109.43 billion in investment pledges from January to April, significantly higher than the ₱63.52 billion registered during the same period last year.

The investments cover 104 new and expansion projects, all of which are now eligible to receive fiscal and non-fiscal incentives and streamlined business processes.

Combined, the approved projects are projected to generate as much as $2.60 billion in export revenues and create 16,117 jobs.

By sector, manufacturing secured the highest number of investment pledges in the first four months, with PEZA approving a total of 42 projects.

Ecozone development placed second with 19 registered projects, followed by information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) and facilities development, with 12 projects each.

By the end of April, PEZA said the top foreign investors were from the Netherlands, South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, and Taiwan.

“These figures reflect our resilience even as the global economy navigates a complex period of recovery,” said PEZA Director General Tereso Panga.

“While we remain mindful of the prevailing global headwinds and supply chain pressures, the Philippines continues to offer a sense of stability for capital,” he said.

Panga said the country’s ecozone system is well-positioned to attract investments from companies seeking a predictable and efficient regulatory environment amid the shifting global trade landscape.

Trade and investment across the globe are being clouded by uncertainties stemming from supply chain disruptions and higher fuel prices, driven by the conflict between the United States (US) and Iran.

“While these external shifts present new complexities, the Philippines’ commitment to institutional stability and investor-friendly reforms serves as a powerful magnet for long-term capital,” said Panga.

For April alone, which marked the second month of the ongoing conflict, investments approved by PEZA increased to a year-high ₱63.90 billion from ₱4.58 billion recorded in the same month last year.

Among the 26 new projects approved during the month, five are big-ticket projects that accounted for ₱60.02 billion, or nearly 94 percent of the total.

Heading into the second quarter, Panga said the investment promotion agency is optimistic it will sustain its growth trajectory. For the year, PEZA has set a target of ₱300 billion in investment approvals.

To uphold investor confidence in the country, he said efforts are already underway to align the country’s investment strategies with the evolving needs of the global market.

“Challenges brought about by the US-Iran conflict affords us the chance to strengthen Inter-ASEAN trade relations by establishing new supply chains and higher cooperation among key industries like energy, renewables and agriculture,” he said.