MANILA, Philippines — Taiwanese investors remain bullish on investment opportunities in the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao despite persisting threats of terrorism in that region, the Board of Investments (BOI) said.
The BOI said representatives from the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) were recently in the country for a business opportunity research study mission.
TAIRA manager Albert Fan said Taiwanese investors are specifically looking for business partners in agriculture and aquaculture, two of Taiwan’s key sectors.
BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo said the optimism of Taiwanese investors in making their businesses grow in the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao, is a testament to the country’s competitive advantages.
Rodolfo said the sustained investor confidence in the country bodes well with the BOI’s thrust to further strengthen the Philippines’ position as a preferred global investment destination.
Despite the issues of terrorism and a martial law declaration last year, Mindanao’s investment prospects remained rosy, according to Rodolfo, with P29.35-billion worth investment projects registered with the BOI in 2017.
Of these investments, P15.25 billion were from Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN, P7.23 billion from Region 10 (Northern Mindanao), P5.43 billion from Region 11 (Davao Region) and P1.44 billion from Region 13 (CARAGA).