BOI sticks to P1.75 trillion target for 2025 investment approvals

MANILA, Philippines — The Board of Investments (BOI) is keeping its target to approve P1.75 trillion worth of investments this year despite the challenges posed by the US reciprocal tariffs.

“We’re keeping the target,” Trade Secretary and BOI chair Cristina Roque told reporters on the sidelines of the Solaia IT-BPM (Information Technology - Business Process Management) Awards on Wednesday night.

If the target is achieved this year, it would be the highest level of investments approved by the BOI and surpass last year’s all-time high of P1.62 trillion.

Roque said a meeting was held recently to revisit the BOI investment approvals target for this year.

She said she also met with other investment promotion agencies including the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.

A review of the investment approvals goal was undertaken after investments approved by the BOI dropped by 48.5 percent to P329.52 billion in the January to May period this year from P640.22 billion in the same period in 2024.

The lower investment approvals in the five-month period reflect the cautious approach being taken by investors amid uncertainties caused by the US reciprocal tariffs on trade partners.

Despite the decline in investment approvals as of end-May, Roque said the BOI remains optimistic “because of the incentives of CREATE MORE.”

Approved into law in November last year, the CREATE MORE Act seeks to enhance the country’s incentives regime.

CREATE MORE is expected to encourage more investments into the country as the law enhances the ease of doing business and provides more attractive incentives.

As part of efforts to attract more investments, the government is conducting roadshows to promote the CREATE MORE to potential investors.

Roque said she is also joining President Marcos’ trip to Osaka, Japan from June 19 to 22, to meet with firms that have expressed interest in investing in the Philippines.

She said they are set to meet with a ship manufacturer and semiconductor firm.

During the trip, she said they would also visit the Philippine Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, designed to promote tourism, trade and cultural exchange.