Speaker: Japan, US, Middle East interested in Maharlika

MANILA, Philippines — The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) as well as United States and Middle East officials have expressed interest in the Maharlika Investment Fund after it was signed into law by President Marcos on July 18.

“The Philippines has become a very attractive economy to invest into. That’s why we’re very optimistic and excited. Many are already asking about Maharlika,” Speaker Martin Romualdez said over the weekend.

The JBIC “expressed interest” in the sovereign wealth fund when a delegation of congressmen visited Tokyo during the congressional break, according to Romualdez.

He added that US officials “congratulated” Marcos for signing the Maharlika Investment Fund into law.

“I think Maharlika is starting with a more substantial seed capital and there’s already various commitments, I think it will be much larger than that,” Romualdez noted.

He mentioned Indonesia’s investment fund that had an initial $1 billion seed capital, which grew to $230 billion in less than two years.

Romualdez also confirmed he will join Marcos’ delegation to Malaysia on July 25-27, and the Maharlika Investment Fund would be included in discussions with Malaysian businessmen.