The Philippines Investment Proposal

Hand in Hand initiative 2025

The Philippines Investment Plans and Opportunities

HiH Investment Forum 2025

The investment proposal developed by the Philippines is available to download and review in various languages below, including details on Investment opportunities.

English Version

 


The Philippines Bilateral Appointment

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The Philippines Proposal

The Philippines stands as a prime destination for agrifood investments, driven by its abundant natural resources, strategic location, and strong government support for agricultural modernization. 

Recognizing the crucial role of agribusiness in national economic development, the Government of the Philippines has prioritized agriculture as a key sector for investment.  

With a diverse range of agricultural commodities, from high-value crops to aquaculture, the Philippines is well-equipped to meet the growing global demand for food security and sustainable agricultural products. The country’s strategic geographic position in Southeast Asia also allows it to serve as a gateway for trade and export markets. By leveraging its strong trade agreements and investment policies, the Philippines is poised to expand its agrifood sector through foreign direct investments and strategic partnerships through the Hand-in-Hand Initiative of FAO.  

By engaging with stakeholders in this forum, the Philippines aims to attract sustainable investments in key commodities namely: abaca, seaweed, mango, and bamboo, that will drive rural development, enhance food security, and strengthen its position in the global agri-food market

 


The Philippines Geospatial Typologies

Agro-informatics connects information technology with the management, analysis and application of agricultural data to design more accurate and targeted agricultural interventions. The use of new technologies and techniques in agriculture, such as satellite imagery, remote sensing, and geographic information systems, enable the transformation of data into actionable information.

Poverty

Potential

Efficiency

Poverty
Potential
Efficiency
Click on individual maps to get detailed view on FAO GIS platform



Government of The Philippines: Investment cases in The Philippines

 


The Philippines Investment Cases and Interventions

Seaweed

Seaweed

The seaweed industry stands as a cornerstone of the Philippines’ fisheries production, consistently driving significant economic activity. Notably, it ranks first among aquaculture commodities, contributing a substantial 60-70% of the country's total aquaculture output.  

Seaweed has also consistently secured a position within the Philippines' top three fisheries exports. In 2024 alone, seaweed aquaculture accounted for an impressive 66% of overall fishery production, solidifying its status as a leading export within the sector, with a national production reaching 1.4 million metric tons. This thriving industry has deep roots in the nation's coastal communities, bolstering the Philippine economy for generations. Among aquaculture species, seaweed is the undisputed primary commodity, followed by milkfish and tilapia.  

Crucially, the seaweed industry sustains the livelihoods of over a million Filipinos, a majority of whom are small-scale seaweed farmers. Often a family-run enterprise, seaweed farming serves as a vital income source for countless coastal and island-dwelling households. Furthermore, a targeted investment of USD 51.9 million in the Innovative Deep-Sea Kappaphycus Seaweed Farming using Multiple Raft Method is projected to yield an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 36.6%, directly benefiting 1,000 seaweed farmers and supporting a targeted expansion area of 1,000 hectares. 
Sonnet Malakaran Mango

Mango

With  763,298.62 metric tons produced in 2024 from nearly 10 million bearing trees, mango is the country’s third most exported fruit crop and supports the livelihood of around 2.5 million farmers. The Mango Integrated Treatment and Processing Facility is a key investment project aimed at boosting the Philippine mango industry by adding value, improving product quality, and extending shelf life to meet both local and export market demands. The project targets five regions—Pangasinan, Isabela, Pampanga, Cebu City, and Zamboanga City—covering 19,700 hectares and benefiting over 27,000 farmers, with a focus on post-harvest technologies, export infrastructure, and plantation expansion. 

Requiring an investment of Php 2.8 billion (about USD 50 million), the facility is projected to deliver a 39.6% internal rate of return and a net present value of Php 4.7 billion over 10 years. This investment aims to develop a diverse portfolio of high-value fresh and processed mango products—including IQF mangoes, purees, and pickled mangoes—that target premium markets, optimize revenue potential, and generate significant returns through cutting-edge processing and expanded distribution channels.  
Sonnet Malakaran Abaca

Abaca

Abaca, a highly sought-after and eco-conscious fiber, finds diverse applications across industries ranging from artisanal fiber crafts and robust ropes to advanced automotive composites, elegant furniture, and sustainable teabags. The Philippines proudly reigns as the world’s foremost producer of abaca, fulfilling an impressive 85.7% of global demand. In 2023, the nation’s abaca cultivation spanned 162,546.2 hectares, resulting in a yield of 46,195.9 metric tons and generating substantial export earnings of USD 117.22 million.  

As global markets increasingly prioritize sustainable materials, abaca emerges as a compelling, natural alternative to conventional plastic-based fibers, solidifying its long-term investment attractiveness. The abaca processing center, an initiative poised to produce an anticipated 1,015 metric tons of premium abaca fibers annually will significantly uplift farmer incomes by at least 50% while solidifying the industry’s leading position on the global stage. This strategic venture, focused on three key locations in the Philippines, offers investors a robust Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 28.36% and a Net Present Value (NPV) of USD 3.3 million, positioning abaca processing as both a strategically sound and highly profitable investment opportunity. 
Bamboo

Bamboo

The Philippine bamboo industry offers a strong investment case, with the global market valued at USD 67.43 billion in 2024 and growing at 7.9% annually. The country has 1.5 million hectares suitable for bamboo, but less than 3.5% is currently used, showing clear potential for expansion. Bamboo grows quickly, sequesters 100–400 tons of carbon per hectare in ten years, and helps restore degraded land, making it valuable for climate and environmental goals. 

A 10-year investment of USD 4.7 million across five sites is projected to yield a 33% internal rate of return and a net present value of USD 9.1 million. The project will directly benefit an estimated 250 farmers and the entire value chain players for bamboo for indirect beneficiaries, with revenue from bamboo poles, biomass, and carbon credits. 

With strong market demand, government backing, and multiple revenue streams, investing in Philippine bamboo offers a unique opportunity to drive inclusive rural development, tap into global green markets, and contribute to climate action—all while achieving financial returns. 

 


 


Contact

For more information, please contact the Hand-in-Hand team.